McKenzie, TN – The #12 Cumberlands women's basketball team rallied from 18-points down in the fourth quarter, however, it wasn't enough as the Patriots fell to #1 Bethel 74-69 Thursday night in their MSC Opener.

Jaydyn Carrico led the way for UC with a career-high 22 points, including 12 from the charity stripe, and nine rebounds in the game.  Peyton Mounce added 14 points off the bench, while Joy Kendrick notched 13 points, six rebounds, and three steals.  Zaram Fredricks and Amy Thompson combined for 17 rebounds.

Bethel jumped out to a 4-0 lead before Jaydyn Carrico connected with Joy Kendrick for a three-pointer. On the next possession Peyton Mounce notched a steal and hit a jumper putting the Patriots in front 5-4, three minutes into the game.  The Wildcats retook the lead at 11-7 as Zaram Fredricks grabbed her fifth rebound of the quarter. A few minutes later, Amy Thompson converted a layup, while Jaydyn Carrico sank a pair from the charity stripe tying the score at 11-11 with 2:14 remaining.  The Wildcats closed out the quarter on a five-point run to take an 18-13 lead.

The Wildcats went on a 7-0 run to open the second quarter, before Kendrick did an up and under layup cutting the deficit to 25-15.  Thompson and Mounce each added a putback as UC cutting the score to 27-19 with 5:52 remaining in the first half. Mounce netted five straight points as part of an 9-0 run cutting the deficit to 33-29 with 3:02 left as Thompson has grabbed seven boards in the game so far.  Bethel added four points late to take the 37-28 advantage into the break.

Cumberlands came out strong with back-to-back layups from Mounce and Burke to pull UC within five at 37-32, a minute into the third quarter.  The Patriots continued their strong defensive efforts, however, struggled from the field as Bethel extended their lead to 50-37.  Later in the quarter Darcie Anderson and Joy Kendrick hit back-to-back three's cutting the deficit to 53-43 with 2:16 remaining.  The two teams trades baskets as Bethel took a 58-45 lead into the fourth quarter.

Carrico hit four straight free throws three minutes into the fourth quarter cutting the deficit to 65-52.  A Kendrick jumper coupled with Burke converting a free throw brought UC within 10 at 65-55 midway through the quarter.  UC hit five straight free throws, while Anderson drained a three-pointer cutting the deficit to 67-64 with 2:16 remaining.  That was the closest UC came as Bethel earned the 74-69 final.
 
Cumberlands returns to the court Saturday, January 10^th, when they stay in the Volunteer State traveling to Henderson, TN as they take on #6 Freed-Hardeman.  Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. with live video available here.
 
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