Williamsburg, KY – The #16 Cumberlands women's basketball team utilized stifling defense and timely foul shooting to defeat #7 Freed-Hardeman 77-71 Thursday night on Randy Vernon Court.  With the win, UC improves to 15-3 overall and 1-1 in conference play, while the Lions had their first setback of the season moving to 17-1 overall and 1-1 in  MSC play.

Lakin Burke lead the way for Cumberlands with 21 points and 12 rebounds for her third double-double on the season.  Joy Kendrick added 19 points, 6 rebounds, and four assists off the bench, while Kassie Monday finished with 17 points and five assists. 

Kassie Monday opened the game sinking a pull-up jumper to put UC in front early.  A few minutes later UC went on a 10-2 run, with Burke accounting for six points to extend the lead to 12-6.  Carissa Curtis hit a three-pointer for Freed-Hardeman cutting the lead to 12-9 after the first quarter.

Kassie Monday and Kaylie Monday each hit from behind-the-arc to give the Pats an 18-11 lead just over a minute into the second quarter.  Kaylie Monday connected with Burke and LeeAnna McNulty for consecutive layups making it 22-13 with 6:52 remaining.  The two teams traded baskets before Monday found Jaiden Cox on the wing for a three extending the lead to 30-18, which was UC's largest lead in the game.  The Lions went on a 12-0 run before Burke converted back-to-back layups in the closing minute giving the Patriots a 34-30 lead at the break.

Both teams scored on their opening possession of the third quarter.  Cumberlands utilized an 8-2 run, that began with an Anaia Hoard jumper to give UC the 44-35 edge midway through the period.  After Freed-Hardeman pulled within five, Kaylie Monday found Kendrick for a three-pointer.  On the next possession, Monday tallied a steal and layup pushing the lead back to 54-44 with 2:15 remaining.  Both team hit a pair of free throws making it 56-46 heading into the fourth quarter.

The Lions netted five straight points to open the fourth quarter, however, Burke converted a three-point play as part of a 7-0 run giving Cumberlands a 62-51 lead with 5:48 remaining.  The two teams traded baskets as Hoard hit a jumper, off an assists from Kendrick making it 68-58 with 2:43 remaining. The Patriots sank seven free throws, before Payton Acey found Burke for a layup giving the Patriots the 77-71 win.

In the game, Cumberlands went 26-33 from the charity stripe and out-rebounded Freed-Hardeman 30-26 in the contest.

The Patriots return to the court Saturday, January 18^th, when they host #9 Bethel.  Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. with live video available here.

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