Henderson, TN – The #14 UC women's basketball team struggled to get timely shot as they fell to #22 Freed-Hardeman 57-49 Saturday afternoon. After the game, UC moves to 15-6 overall and 3-2 in conference play.

Lakin Burke notched nine points and six rebounds, while Amerah Steele tallied nine points.  Kaylie Monday recorded nine points and three rebounds.  Channing Lewis led the way with seven rebounds to go along with 12 points.

The Patriots won the jump ball and on the first possession, Amerah Steele found Lakin Burke in the paint for a bucket before Steele drained a three-pointer to make it 5-2 early.  Burke recorded a layup before connecting with Kaylie Monday for a layup to make it 9-4.  Freed-Hardman scored five unanswered points to tie the game before Burke connected with Victory Fredricks for a layup to put UC in front 11-9 with 1:47 remaining.  The Patriots added five unanswered points capped off by a Fredricks second chance layup to make it 16-9.  Kaylie Monday added a layup in the closing seconds to give Cumberlands an 18-11 edge after the first quarter.

Two minutes into the second quarter, Fredricks grabbed an offensive rebound which led to Kassie Monday finding Destiny Haworth for a jumper to make it 20-13.  After three minutes of strong defensive efforts Steele connected with Kaylie Monday for three to make it 23-13 with 4:56 remaining. Freed-Hardeman went scored five unanswered points to pull within four points, however, Channing Lewis notch five straight points to extend the lead to 28-19.  Freed-Hardeman closed out the half with six unanswered points to cut the lead to 28-25 at the break.

The Patriots opened the third quarter with Steele draining a jumper to extend the lead back to five points.  Burke notched three straight points before Lewis grabbed an offensive rebound and putback to extend the lead to 35-27 with 5:48 left in the third quarter.  The Lions went of a 16-4 run to take a 43-39 lead with 1:30 remaining in the third quarter.  Lewis added a pair of free-throws as Freed-Hardeman took a 44-41 lead into the fourth period.

Steele hit a jumper on the opening possession of the fourth quarter to pull the Patriots within one at 44-43.  A pair of Burke free throws put UC in front, however, Freed-Hardeman went on a 12-0 run, over a six minute span, before Steele scored UC's final four points for the 57-49 final.

The Patriots will be back in action on Thursday, February 1, when they travel to Columbia, KY to face Lindsey Wilson.  Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m. 

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