No. 3 Campbellsville (18-2, 4-0 MSC) was led in scoring by Lexxus Graham’s 11 points, as she hit three Edward Jones 3-point baskets – the lone 3s for CU. Campbellsville struggled from behind the arc overall, hitting 3-of-19 for only 16 percent. The good thing for CU, the Bears didn’t shoot much better by hitting 2-of-16 from deep.
Madison Clements got the scoring going early in the first quarter with a runner in the lane but that was the lone basket CU’s leading scorer would tally all night. Clements finished with six points, making four free throws in the final few minutes of the game.
Campbellsville used its defense early by holding UPIKE scoreless for almost five minutes in the opening quarter and the Lady Tigers picked up six of their 18 turnovers in that span. CU finished the quarter on a 9-0 run to push its lead to eight, 19-11.
Graham put CU ahead by double figures for the first time with her second 3 of the night, 25-14. Then it was Madison Kaiser with a nifty pass to Dylana Fothergill to cap another 10-0 run midway through the second quarter after CU held the Bears to hitting 1-of-11 in that span.
The Lady Tigers ended the half on a 12-1 run and led by 20 points, 37-17. CU hit 15-of-37 (41 percent) from the floor in the opening half, while UPIKE shot 7-fo-24 (29 percent).
In the second half, the numbers were flipped. UPIKE scorched the nets and hit 47 percent (16-of-34), while CU hit 27 percent (9-of-33).
To start the third quarter, Graham nailed her final triple to put CU ahead, 40-19, but the Bears made a rally. UPIKE would go on a 10-0 run cutting the Lady Tiger lead to 11, 40-29 with under one minute remaining in the quarter. Lauren Turner ended that run with a basket at the 5:04 mark.
It was Campbellsville’s turn for a run next. The Lady Tigers out-score UPIKE 13-6 and extended their lead back to 20 points, 55-35, after Madison Faulkner scored with six seconds left in the third.
The fourth quarter wasn’t as nice as the final five minutes of the third quarter was. CU hit just 4-of-20 (20 percent) from the floor in the final frame and the Bears were on fire hitting 9-of-13.
After CU went ahead, 63-46 with 3:56 left, UPIKE would cut that deficit to eight points, 63-55, with an 8-0 run. In the final 3:58, CU did not hit a field goal but it was too little too late for the Bears, as Clements made 4-of-5 five free throws in the final minute putting the night on ice.
Campbellsville’s bench out-scored the Bears 29-14, as Alexus Calhoun pitched in nine points – all in the first half. She also led all rebounders with a career-high 10 boards. In addition, Faulkner delivered nine points off the bench, while Lauren Turner scored eight.
Jamie Castle scored 13 points to lead all scorers for UPIKE.
The third-ranked Lady Tigers will once again have another Mid-South Conference contest on Saturday, as No. 4 Shawnee State travels to Tiger Town. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET in the Powell Athletic Center.
Jordan Alves
Sports Information Director
Campbellsville University
