Williamsburg, KY – The (RV) Patriots women's basketball team started fast and finished strong defeating Virginia Lynchburg 63-43 Saturday afternoon inside the O. Wayne Rollins Center. UC jumped out to an early double-digit advantage and never trailed as they improve to 3-1.
Gracie Clark led all scorers with a career-high 20 points on 7-of-9 shooting, while adding seven rebounds.
Aden Clark followed with 13 points, including 10 in the first quarter, while
Noel Smith contributed nine points, 10 rebounds, three assists, and three steals.
Olivia Onyemobi controlled the glass with a game-high 13 rebounds and two blocks, while
Taylor King added five assists.
Cumberlands set the tone early as Onyemobi opened the scoring with a layup before King connected from deep to give UC a 5-0 lead.
Aden Clark netted six of UC's next eight points to push the advantage to 13-2, midway through the first quarter. The two teams traded baskets, while Onyemobi recorded a pair of blocks in the final minute to give Cumberlands a 22-12 lead after the first quarter.
The second period saw both teams struggle to find offensive rhythm, as a King drained a three-pointer, making it 25-14 with 5:51 remaining. Powell then took over the scoring, netting five straight UC points to extend the lead to 30-16 with 1:51 remaining. The Dragons netted four straight points, however, UC took the 30-20 lead into the break.
Virginia Lynchburg trimmed the lead to eight points three times before King found
Aden Clark on the wing for a three-pointer as Smith added a layup making it 39-26 midway through the quarter. King and
Gracie Clark each notched steals over the next few minutes as Clark converted a three-point play making it 47-31 with 2:12 remaining. Cumberlands would take a 47-35 lead into the fourth quarter.
Addison Terry opened the final quarter with a three-pointer to push the Patriots ahead 50-35.
Gracie Clark continued her strong afternoon, adding a layup before knocking down another jumper and two free throws to make it 56-39 with just over three minutes remaining.
Mya Yakubu netted her first collegiate basket before connecting with
Gracie Clark for a three-pointer as Cumberlands pulled away for the 63-43 final.
The Patriots dominated the glass 47-34, including 16 offensive rebounds, while dishing out 16 assists on 24 made field goals.
Cumberlands returns to action Thursday, November 5, when the Patriots host Spring Arbor University at 5 PM as part of the Patriot Classic.
For the latest and most up-to-date information on University of the Cumberlands Athletics, please visit www.cumberlandspatriots.com. Follow us on X - @UC_Patriots and @UCPatsGameday, Instagram - @UCPatriots, TikTok - @ucpatriots, YouTube - Cumberlands Patriots, and Facebook by searching University of the Cumberlands Athletics.
