McKenzie, TN – Kaylie Monday drove and found Destiny Haworth for the game-winning three-pointer with 5.2 seconds remaining as the #14 Patriots women's basketball team earned the 68-65 win over (RV) Bethel Thursday night.  With the win, UC improves to 15-5 overall and 3-1 in conference play.

"This was a hard fought win for our team," said Haworth.  "That last play happened because of the effort this team puts in on a daily basis; Kaylie gave me a great pass and I was fortunate to knock it down."  

Kassie Monday led the way for UC with 18 points, five rebounds and six assists, while Kaylie Monday notched nine points, two assists, and three steals.  Victory Fredricks tallied a season-high 10 points to go along with nine rebounds as LeeAnna McNulty and Channing Lewis combined for 15 points and five rebounds off the bench.

Amerah Steele notches a steal on the first possession of the game and Kassie Monday converted a layup with the shot clock expiring to give UC a 2-0 lead.  Kaylie Monday notched two steals and a pair of offensive rebounds before Kassie Monday found Channing Lewis for a three-pointer.  On the next Patriots possession Lewis returned to the favor to Kassie Monday making it 11-4 with 6:00 remaining in the first quarter.  The two teams traded baskets until Kassie Monday found Victory Fredricks for consecutive layups to make it 20-12. 

Fredricks opens the second quarter with block and rebound before converting a three-point play to extend UC's lead to 23-12.  LeeAnna McNulty and Kassie Monday combined for the Patriots next eight points to give Cumberlands a 31-14 lead midway through the period.  Fredricks added a putback layup to give her a season-high nine points at the 4:12 mark.  The Wildcats went on an 8-0 run to close out the half and cut the lead to 33-26. 

Cumberlands netted the first four points of the second half as Lakin Burke connected with Amerah Steele for a three-pointer to make it 37-26.  Bethel responded with a five-point run, before Kaylie Monday connected with Lewis for a layup as part of a four-point run to extend the lead back to ten. UC continued to add the pressure as Kassie Monday tallied an assist and a pair of layups, giving het 16 points for the game, and making it 49-37 with 3:21 left in the third quarter.  Bethel went on a 7-3 run to close out the period as UC took a 52-44 lead into the fourth quarter.

Burke and Kassie Monday each hit a jumper to open the period, however, the Wildcats went on a 10-4 run to pull within two at 56-54.  Coming out of the media timeout, Kassie Monday found Kaylie Monday for a three-pointer on the wing to make it 61-56 with 4:45 remaining.  Bethel pulled within two points before Burke grabbed an offensive rebound and putback to make it 65-61 with 3:08 remaining.  Bethel tied the score at 65-65 and in the closing seconds Kaylie Monday drove and found Destiny Haworth for a three-pointer with 5.2 seconds left to put UC in front 68-65.  The Patriots defense forced Bethel to take an off-balance three-pointer that didn't convert for the 68-65 final.
 
UC out-rebounded Bethel 34-27 in the game and closed out the game converted 43.6% from the field.

The Patriots will return to the court Saturday, January 27, when they travel to Henderson, TN to face #22 Freed-Hardeman.  Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.
 
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