Bowling Green, KY – The sixth-seed Cumberlands women's basketball team utilized stifling defense and timely shooting to knock off third-seed and 11
th-ranked Lindsey Wilson 59-47 in Friday night at Bowling Green Arena. With the win, the Patriots advance to the semifinals of the MSC Tournament, while improving to 19-10 on the season.
Joy Kendrick was named the MSC Player of the Game after tallying 17 points, with four assists and three steals.
Aden Clark hit a trio of three-pointers to finish with 11 points, as
Peyton Mounce netted nine points.
Darcie Anderson grabbed a career-high seven rebounds and provided a spark in the third quarter with eight points.
The Patriots got on the board early as
Zaram Fredricks and
Joy Kendrick notch back-to-back jumpers giving UC the 4-0 lead. Fredricks added a steal and connected with Kendrick for a layup as Cumberlands extended their lead to 8-2, three minutes into the game. The Blue Raiders pulled within two, before
Amy Thompson drained a three-pointed to make it 11-6. Both defenses applied strong pressure as the game is tied at 13-13 after the opening quarter.
The teams traded baskets, before
Darcie Anderson grabbed an offensive board and found a cutting
Peyton Mounce for a layup giving the Patriots a 19-17 lead with 6:38 remaining. The score remained that way until the 3:45 mark as Kendrick notched a steal, while
Noel Smith used a strong take for a layup. UC held the Blue Raiders without a field goal over the final 8:06 of the quarter as the Patriots took a 23-18 lead into the break.
Darcie Anderson tallied a pair of steals which led to a jumper from
Noel Smith and an Anderson layup to make it 29-18 with 8:00 remaining. On the next Patriot possession Kendrick found
Aden Clark in the corner for a three-pointer giving UC a 32-18 lead. Anderson added five unanswered points, including a three-pointer to make it 37-20 with 6:13 remaining. The two teams traded points before Kendrick hit a pull-up jumper to give Cumberlands a 43-26 advantage with 3:00 remaining. The two teams traded possession as the Pats take a 46-32 lead into the fourth quarter.
Kendrick connected with Clark for a three-pointer in the opening minute of the fourth quarter as UC takes a 50-34 advantage. Clark drained her third three-pointer of the game pushing Cumberlands lead to 17-points. Kendrick added a three-pointer, a block and a steal as UC takes a 56-40 lead with under 3:19 left. The Patriots hit three free throws to fend off a late run by the Blue Raiders for the 59-47 win.
The Patriots advance to the semifinals of the MSC Tournament against #2 Freed-Hardeman, who defeated Cumberland in the quarterfinals. The game is set for Sunday, March 1
st, at 3:30 p.m.
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