Mayaguez, Puerto Rico – The seventh-ranked Cumberlands women's basketball team utilized a balanced approach on both ends of the floor to earn the 58-46 win over Puerto Rico Mayaguez Monday night.  With the win, UC improves tom 12-1 on the season  heading into the holiday break.

Kaylie Monday led the way with 14 points, seven rebounds, and four steals, while Kassie Monday tallied 11 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals.  Jaiden Cox added 11 points and five offensive rebounds, while Lakin Burke notched nine points, seven rebounds, and three steals.  

Kassie Monday connected with Kaylie Monday for a three and Burke for a jumper to put the Patriots in front 5-3.  Mayaguez went of a 9-0 run that spanned two minutes before UC had four straight points in transition to cut the deficit to 12-9 midway through the first quarter. The two teams traded baskets until Kassie Monday hit a floating jumper in the paint to cut the deficit to 16-13 after the first period.

PR Mayaguez extended their lead back to six points before Cox notched four straight points pulling the Pats within two at 20-18 with 7:32 left in the second quarter.  UC continued to chip away until a three-pointer from Cox put the Patriots in front 23-22 midway through the period.  Kassie Monday added four straight points to spark an 8-0 UC run to close out the half, which was capped off by a Payton Acey jumper giving Cumberlands the 31-24 lead at the break.

Both teams came out in the third quarter with strong defensive efforts limiting the scoring opportunities.  Kaylie Monday sank a pair of three points to make it 37-31 in favor of the Patriots with 3:14 remaining.  Kassie Monday and Lakin Burke sank four straight free throws to close out the quarter giving Cumberlands a 41-33 lead heading into the fourth.

Kendrick forced a steal to open the fourth quarter and on the ensuing possession found Kassie Monday for a three, extending the lead to 11, 44-33. LeeAnna McNulty found Kaylie Monday on the win for a three before converting a three-point play pushing the lead to 50-37 with 6:41 remaining.  UC kept the lead in double-digits for the rest of the game scoring their final eight points on second chance opportunities, including six from Kendrick for the 58-46 final.

Cumberlands returns to the court on Monday, December 30, when they travel to Barbourville, KY to face Union.  Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.

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