Sioux City, IA – The second-seed Patriots battled throughout the game but there 2025 NAIA Tournament run concluded as they fell to third-seed Marian 77-72 in the NAIA Round of 16 Thursday night at the Tyson Event Center.  Cumberlands closes out the season with a 26-6 record.

Kassie Monday led the way for UC with 17 points, six assists, and four rebounds.  Monday broke UC's single season assists record and finishes the season with 229 assists.  Kaylie Monday added 14 points and five rebounds, while Jaiden Cox notched 15 points.  Lakin Burke grabbed a team-high 13 rebounds.

Marian jumped out to a 5-0 lead before Joy Kendrick connected with Kaylie Monday for a three-pointer to cut into the deficit.  Kassie Monday hit a three-pointer before Anaia Hoard added a three-point play to put UC in front 9-7.  The Knights went on a 6-2 run before LeeAnna McNulty notched a steal and pushed the ball up the court to Kassie Monday for a layup to make it 13-11 midway through the period.  Jaiden Cox provided a spark off the bench for Cumberlands netting five straight points to pull UC within two at 22-20 after the first quarter.

Cox drained a three-pointer before finding McNulty on the post for a layup to put UC in front 25-24 just over minutes into the second quarter.  After Kaylie Monday converted a three-pointer, Kylie Fultz hit a jumper to extend the lead to 30-25 with 6:36 remaining. A minute later, Kassie Monday found Cox in the corner for a three before Marian scored seven unanswered to take a 36-33 lead with 4:01 remaining.  The game was tied four times over the closing minutes of the half as Joy Kendrick converted a layup in the closing seconds to make it 43-43 at the break.

The Patriots opened the third quarter on a 7-0 run that was capped off with Kendrick find Kaylie Monday for a three-pointer to make it 50-43 with 7:59 remaining.  Kassie Monday added a jumper as Marian went on an 11-3 run to take a 54-53 lead with 4:50 left.  There were three lead changes as Kassie Monday connected with Kendrick for a layup and added a free throw to tie the game at 60-60 heading into the fourth quarter.

Marian opened the fourth quarter on a 6-0 run that spanned five minutes before Kassie Monday found Kaylie Monday on the wing for a three-pointer to pull UC within three.  On the next possession, Kaylie Monday connected with Hoard for fast break layup to cut the deficit to 66-65 with 4:40 remaining.  That was the closest UC came as Marian was able to pull away for the 77-72 final.

The Patriots senior class of Kassie Monday, Kaylie Monday, Jaiden Cox, Brittni Allison and LeeAnna McNulty compiled a 96-37 record over the past four years with four NAIA National Tournament appearances, including three straight trips to the NAIA Final Site with reaching the Fab Four in 2024.

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