Williamsburg, KY – The #15 Cumberlands women's basketball team had four players in double figures, however, late free throws led to Patriots falling to #3 Bethel 69-66 Thursday night on Randy Vernon Court.  With the win, the Wildcats improve to 20-2 overall and 5-1 in conference play, while UC moves to 17-4 overall and 2-3 against the MSC.

Joy Kendrick led the way for the Patirots with 18 points, six rebounds, and five assists.  Zaram Fredricks added 10 points and a game-high 16 rebounds, while Lakin Burke added 13 points and six rebounds.  Noel Smith grabbed a career-high 12 rebounds to go along with six rebounds.

The two teams trade baskets before Darcie Anderson hit a three-pointer to make it 5-3.  Zaram Fredricks added a pair of blocks, while Fredrick and Lakin Burke converted back-to-back layups to extend UC's lead to 9-3, three minutes into the game.   The two teams traded baskets before Burke added a layup giving UC a 13-10 edge.  Bethel went on a 7-0 run, before Fredricks get a jumper to rattle in pulling within two at 17-15.  Cumberlands grabbed three offensive rebounds before Jaydyn Carrico found Burke on the block for a three-point play.  In the closing seconds of the quarter, Anderson hit a running jumper at the buzzer to give UC a 20-19 lead.

Kendrick and Burke combined for the Patriots first ten points of the period as UC takes a 30-25 lead. A few minutes later, Kendrick found Carrico on the wing for a three-pointer extending Cumberlands lead to 35-29 with 3:11 remaining.  Both teams continued with strong defense as Anderson hit a free-throw line jumper and a pair of free throws as the Patriots take a 41-35 lead into the break.

Both teams came out with strong defensive efforts as Burke hit a layup making it 43-37 just over a minute into the third quarter. The Wildcats went on a 9-0 run, before Fredricks adds a putback and a block leading to a Kendrick three-pointer to give Cumberlands the 48-46 lead with 4:16 remaining.  The two teams traded baskets before Anderson drained a three-pointer, while Noel Smith added a putback giving the Patriots a 55-51 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Bethel tied the game at 58-58 before Kendrick connected with Burke on the block to give UC a 60-58 lead with 6:34 remaining.  The Wildcats have tied the game three times, before Bethel took a 66-64 lead with 59 seconds left.  Kendrick led the Patriots response hitting a jumper with 41.6 seconds remaining to even the score at 66-66.  Bethel hit three free throws down the stretch, while Cumberlands final chance came up short for the 69-66 final.
 
Cumberlands will return to the court on Saturday, January 31^st, when they host #2 Freed-Hardeman. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. with live video available here.
 
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