Williamsburg, KY – Lakin Burke netted a career-high 19 points as the #15 Patriots women's basketball team earned the 81-69 win over Bethel Saturday afternoon on Randy Vernon Court.  Cumberlands earned their 20^th win over the season on senior day as they honored Whitney Caldwell and Destiny Haworth prior to the start of the game.

Burke led the way with a career-high 19 points, on 7-8 shooting from the field.  Kaylie Monday added 17 points, 7 rebounds, four assists, and three steals, while Channing Lewis chipped in 14 points, nine rebounds, and six assists. Kassie Monday added ten points and four assists. 

Kaylie Monday opened the game with a three pointer before adding a transition layup to make it 5-3.  Lakin Burke added a steal and layup on the next possession to make it 7-3, two minutes into the game.  The two teams traded jumpers before Joy Kendrick added a basket and a layup to make it 13-10 midway through the quarter.  The Patriots went on a 12-0 run, including five points from Kassie Monday as UC took a 25-12 advantage. 

The Wildcats opened the second quarter with four straight points before Kassie Monday found Haworth on the wing for a three-pointer.  Kaylie Monday notched a steal, which was her 90^th of the season, moving her into second all-time in program history,  before adding a layup to extend the lead to 30-16, two minutes in.  The two teams traded baskets until the 1:52 mark when Channing Lewis hit a pair of free throws to make it 38-29.  The second make from the charity stripe was her 1,000 point of her career as she is now the third Patriot player to reach that milestone this season.  Haworth added a three-pointer in the closing seconds of the half to extend the lead to 43-31.

Kassie Monday opened the second half with a layup, before Lewis added a three-pointer and an assists extending the lead to 50-36.  The two teams traded baskets until Lewis found Kaylie Monday from deep to make it 60-40 with 4:47 left in the third.  Bethel closed out the third quarter on an 11-5 run, however, Cumberlands took a 65-51 lead into the fourth quarter.

The Wildcats pulled within 11 before Burke found a cutting Kaylie Monday for a layup to make it 67-54 with 7:52 left.  A couple minutes later, Lewis added five points and an assists, while Burke scored six straight points as UC extended their lead to 80-58 with 4:22 left.   Bethel closed out the game on an 11-1 run, however, the Patriots earned the 81-69 final. 

With the win, UC finishes the regular season tied with Georgetown for second place in the conference standings.  The Patriots will return to the court Friday, March 1, for the quarterfinals of the MSC Tournament.

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