Bowling Green, KY – Joy Kendrick netted a career-high 26 points, however, it wasn't enough as the sixth-seed Cumberlands women's basketball team fell to #2 Freed-Hardeman 71-63 in the semifinals of the MSC Tournament Sunday afternoon at Bowling Green Arena.  With the win, the Patriots advance to the semifinals of the MSC Tournament.  With the win the Lions improve to 26-3 on the year, while the Patriots move to 19-10 on the season.

In addition to her career-high 26 points, Kendrick tallied her 1,000 career point becoming the 31^st Patriot player to clip that milestone.  Jaydyn Carrico and Darcie Anderson added 16 points, eight rebounds and five assists, while Lakin Burke chipped in seven points.

Both teams came out with strong defensive efforts as the two teams combined for two points over the first three minutes of action.  Zaram Fredricks got Cumberlands on the board before jumpers from Aden Clark and Joy Kendrick gave UC a 6-5 lead midway through the first quarter.  A minute later, Kendrick converted a three-point play tying the game at 9-9.  UC added four straight points as Kendrick tallied a pair of steals, while Jaydyn Carrico added a layup to make it 13-9 left in the period.  Freed-Hardeman added five unanswered points to take a 14-13 lead after the first quarter. 

The Lions extended their lead to 22-13 three minutes into the second quarter. Kendrick added a jumper before connecting with Darcie Anderson for a three-pointer to cut the deficit to 26-18 with 4:05 remaining. Anderson added her second three-pointer as UC trailed Freed-Hardeman 32-23. 

Lakin Burke scored on their first possession of the third quarter and a minute later a Noel Smith steal led to a three-pointer from Kendrick to cut the deficit to 32-28.  The two teams traded baskets over the next two minutes as Kendrick hit a jumper to pull UC within four at 37-33 with 6:22 remaining. The Lions went on a 6-1 run, before Kendrick hit a jumper for her 18^th point of the game and her 1,001 point of her career.  A three-pointer from Carrico sparked a 5-0 run form the Patriots as they cut the deficit to 45-41 with a minute left. 

Both teams traded baskets to open the fourth quarter before Burke and Anderson notched consecutive layups cutting it to 54-49 with 7:24 remaining. The Lions extended their lead back to nine points before Noel Smtih and Mounce notched back-to-back jumpers making it 58-53.  Freed-Hardeman scored eight unanswered points, before Kendrick drained a pair of three-pointers cutting the deficit to 66-59 with 2:48 remaining. That was the closest UC came as Freed-Hardeman earned the 71-63 final. 
 
The Patriots will now set their sights on the NAIA National Tournament.  The field will be announced on Thursday, March 5^th.
 
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