Williamsburg, KY – The seventh-ranked UC women's basketball team battled throughout and utilized an 8-3 run in the third overtime to defeat #19 Marian 103-99 Saturday afternoon on Randy Vernon Court.  With the win, the Patriots improve to 6-1 on the year, while the Knights move to 5-1 overall.

Lakin Burke netted a career-high 25 points to go along with eight rebounds, while Jaiden Cox added a career-high 22 points and four assists.  Kassie Monday tallied 20 points, seven assists, and four steals, while Kaylie Monday chipped in 16 points and a season-high 11 rebounds.  Joy Kendrick grabbed a career-high 15 rebounds to go along with nine points in the win.

Cumberlands opened the game with Cox connecting with Burke for a layup on the opening possession.  Marian responded with a 9-2 run before Kassie Monday found Cox in the corner for a three-pointer pulling UC within two midway through the first period.  The two teams traded baskets before a Kylie Fultz offensive rebound and putback made it 14-13 Cumberlands with 1:10 remaining. The Patriots closed out the period with a Kaylie Monday steal and layup to give UC a 16-15 edge.

Kassie Monday opened the second quarter with a backdoor cut and layup off an assist from Kendrick.  There were eight lead changes over the next four minutes as McNulty connected with Kassie Monday for a three-pointer to make it 28-26 with 3:39 left.  Marian drained back-to-back three-pointers to take five point lead before Kaylie Monday and Cox each hit a jumper on the closing seconds cutting the halftime deficit to 35-34.

Both defenses came out of the break with strong efforts as Cox drained a three-pointer to even the score at 37-37 with 7:13 remaining.  The game was tied twice more before Burke completed a three-point play giving Cumberlands the 44-43 advantage midway through the third quarter.  The Patriots went on a 10-0 run late in the quarter that were sparked by a pair of steals and a Kassie Monday three-pointer as UC took a 56-48 lead into the fourth quarter.

Cumberlands offense continued to click hitting baskets on four straight possession, capped off with Kaylie Monday finding Burke for a layup extending the lead to 65-52 with 7:13 remaining.  The two teams traded baskets before Marian scored 13 unanswered points, over a four minute span, to tie the game at 69-69 with 1:06 left.  On the next Patriots possession Kaylie Monday found Burke for a layup putting UC in front by two with 25 seconds remaining. In the closing seconds of regulation, Abbey McNally added a putback for the Knights to tie the game 71-71 and force overtime.

Kendrick won the opening tip of overtime and laid it in as part of a four-point Patriot run to take a 75-71 lead.  Marian went on an 11-4 run before UC drained straight free-throws to tie the score at 82-82 with a minute left.  Both teams hit a pair of free throws in the closing seconds to keep the game tied 84-84 and force another overtime.

UC jumped out to a five-point lead in the second overtime with all five points coming from Burke and Cox.  The teams traded possession as Amy Thompson sank a pair of free throws to put Cumberlands up 94-91 with 34 seconds remaining.  Marian's Taylor Double drained a three-pointer to even the score as neither team converted in the closing seconds forcing a third overtime.

Kassie Monday found Burke in the post for a layup and added a pair of free throws to open the third overtime.  After the Knights pulled within one Amy Thompson hit a pull-up jumper to make it 100-97 with 36 seconds remaining. The Pats sank three free throws in the closing seconds for the 103-99 win.

It marks the Patriots first three-overtime game since March 7, 2023, when they defeated Midway 117-108 in New Orleans, LA.

Cumberlands returns to the court on Tuesday, November 19^th, when they host IU Southeast.  The Patriots defeated the Grenadiers 97-64 in the first meeting earlier this year.  Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m.

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