Bowling Green, KY – The second-seed and 15^th-ranked Patriots women's basketball netted at least 20 points in each of the first three quarters as they defeated seventh-seed Bethel 80-52 Friday night at Bowling Green High School.  With the win, UC improves to 21-8 overall on the year and they advance to semifinals of the conference tournament. 

Kaylie Monday led the way 20 points, including going 8-9 from the charity stripe, and seven rebounds. Her performances earned Monday the MSC Player of the Game Honors.  Kassie Monday added 16 points, including 12 in the third quarter, to go along with three assists.  Channing Lewis chipped in nine points and six rebounds, with Kylie Fultz and Jaiden Cox added seven points each off the bench.

The Patriots won the opening tip and on that possession Kassie Monday connected with Kaylie Monday for a three-pointer to give UC the early lead.  The twins connected two minutes later as UC extended their lead to 6-2, three minutes in.  The two teams traded baskets over the next few minutes until Destiny Haworth hit a 15-foot jumper to make it 11-6 with 4:18 remaining.  Kassie Monday netted four of Cumberlands next six points as the Patriots extended their lead to 17-8.  Both teams added baskets as Jaiden Cox found Kylie Fultz for a layup to give UC a 23-16 advantage.

Joy Kendrick started the scoring in the second quarter as part of a 5-0 run to make it 28-16.  The Patriots added seven from the free throw line before Jaiden Cox drained a three-pointer at the 1:41 mark to extend the lead to 38-22.  Kaylie Monday added four of UC's final six points in the quarter, including a layup as time expired to make it 44-26 at the break.

The Patriots opened the second half with Channing Lewis connecting with Destiny Haworth for a three-pointer, before hitting one herself to give UC the 50-35 edge.  Kassie Monday found her stride with a three before converting a three-point play to make it 56-37 midway through the quarter.  Cumberlands closed out the quarter on an 11-2 run that included a pair of three's from Kassie Monday and a jumper from Kylie Fultz as Cumberlands took the 67-41 lead into the fourth.

Cumberlands opened the fourth quarter with 11 unanswered points, capped off by Kendrick finding Kaedlee Potter for a layup to make it 78-41 with 5:13 left.  Bethel went on an 11-2 run to close out the game for the 80-52 final.

The Patriots finished with 14 assists compared to the Wildcats six and hit 75% from the free throw line in the win.

The Patriots advance to the semifinals of the Mid-South Conference Tournament, where they will face the winner of #3 Georgetown vs. #6 Cumberland.  That game is slated to begin at 3:30 p.m. (ET) on Sunday, March 3^rd.

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