Lebanon, TN – The 16^th-ranked Patriots had four players in double figures as they earned the 71-59 win over Cumberland Saturday afternoon.  With the win, UC improves to 18-3 overall and 4-1 in MSC play, while the Phoenix move to 8-11 and 0-4 in conference play.

Anaia Hoard led the way for Cumberlands with a season-high 18 points and three blocks.  Kaylie Monday added 17 points and six rebounds, while Joy Kendrick tallied 16 points, four assists and five board.  Lakin Burke finished with 10 points and nine rebounds, as Kassie Monday dished out a team-best seven assists. 

Both teams struggled to get into an offensive rhythm, however, Lakin Burke netted UC's first three points to tie the game 3-3 with 7:05 remaining in the first quarter.  A few minutes later, Kassie Monday connected with Joy Kendrick for a three pointer, before Kassie Monday notched an assists and layup to put Cumberlands in front 10-6.  UC's offensive continued to hit their stride as UC utilized 9-3 run capped off by five straight points from Anaia Hoard three to take a 19-9 lead with a minute remaining.

The Patriots came out strong, opening the second quarter on an 8-0 run, including five points from Kaylie Monday to take a 28-9 lead with 8:42 remaining.  The Phoenix netted seven unanswered points, before Hoard sank a pull-up jumper to make it 30-16 midway through the quarter.  The Patriots defense forced a trio of steals which lead to a three-point play from Burke and a Hoard layup making it 35-21 with 3:23 left. 

Kassie Monday dished out a trio of assists to open the third quarter including finding Kendrick and Kaylie Monday for three's to extend the lead to 43-29.  Both teams picked up the defensive pressure as CU scored four unanswered points before Kaylie Monday found Kendrick on the win for a three-pointer making it 46-35 with 4:12 remaining.  The two teams traded points before Kassie Monday found Kaylie Monday behind-the-arc to make it 53-41.  The Phoenix hit back-to-back baskets in the closing minute cutting the lead to 55-45 heading into the fourth period.

UC opened the fourth quarter with consecutive three-pointers from Kaylie Monday and Hoard making it 61-45.  The two teams traded points before Kendrick drained a three coupled with a Kassie Monday steal and jumped extended the Patriots lead to 68-54 with 2:08 remaining.  Both teams added a couple free throws in the final seconds for the 70-57 final.
 
Cumberlands returns to the court on Thursday, January 30^th, when they return home to host Lindsey Wilson in an MSC showdown.  Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. and this game is serving as UC Faculty Appreciation Night.

For the latest and most up-to-date information on University of the Cumberlands Athletics. Please visit www.cumberlandspatriots.com. Follow us on Twitter- @UC_Patriots and @UCPatsGameday, Instagram- @UCPatriots, TikTok- @ucpatriots, YouTube- Cumberlands Patriots, and Facebook by searching University of the Cumberlands Athletics.