Williamsburg, KY – The #16 Cumberlands women's basketball team utilize timely scoring in the second half to defeat #8 Georgetown 72-65 Thursday night on Randy Vernon Court. The win was the Patriots third straight top-ten victory as they improve to 17-3 overall and 3-1 in MSC play.

Kassie Monday dished out a season-high 12 assists to go along with 13 points and five rebounds, while Lakin Burke netted 18 points and grabbed six rebounds.  Joy Kendrick netted 15 points and four rebounds, while Kaylie Monday and Jaiden Cox finished with nine points each.

UC opened the game with Kassie Monday connecting with Laking Burke for a layup putting Cumberlands in front. From that point the opening quarter turned into a defensive battle as both teams struggled to score as Georgetown (17-2; 3-1 MSC) took a 9-6 lead.

The two teams traded field goals to open the second quarter.  UC sank three straight free throws before Kassie Monday found Kaylie Monday for a three-pointer and Burke for a layup to put the Patriots in front 17-12. Kendrick added five straight points as the Patriots extended their lead to 24-18 with 3:12 remaining.  Georgetown closed out the half on a 6-2 run to cut the lead to 26-24 at the break.

Both offensive found their rhythm in the third quarter trading baskets over the first three minutes.  A Teionni McDaniel fastbreak layup put the Tigers in front, however, UC responded a Zaram Fredricks layup to tie the score 34-34.  There were three lead changes before Kassie Monday sparked an 8-0 run putting the Patriots in front 44-38 with 2:30 remaining. Kaylie Monday sank a pair from the charity stripe, before Kassie Monday found Burke for a layup giving the Pats a 48-43 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Kaylie Monday found Kendrick for a three pointer, before sinking one her own from the corner making it a 54-46 lead two minutes into the fourth period.  Kassie Monday dished out assists to Kendrick, LeeAnna McNulty and Cox as Cumberlands extended their lead to 61-49 midway through the fourth quarter.  Georgetown went on a 13-2 run to pull within five at 67-62 with 1:33 left.  Cumberlands added five points from the charity stripe for the 72-65 win.

UC returns to the court Saturday, January 23, when they travel to Lebanon, TN to face Cumberland.  Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. (ET)

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