Cumberland Drops Overtime Thriller to No. 18 Providence

Box Score Lebanon, Tenn.-- Cumberland women's basketball falls to No. 18 University of Providence in an exciting OT battle to close out the Cumberland Classic.
Despite trailing through three of the four quarters, Providence made a convincing comeback in the fourth and stayed on the gas through the game's end. Cumberland outshot and outrebounded, but Providence hit 22-of-25 free throws to keep them alive through crucial moments.
Lindsey Freeman and Kayla Gordon were solid from start to finish, combining for 31 of Cumberland's 58 points. Gordon led all players with 17, while Freeman was just short of a double-double with 13 points and nine boards.
The game had a back-and-forth start as both sides worked well defensively to make for sporadic scoring plays.
The Argos had a slow second quarter having suffered through the first four and a half minutes without getting a shot to fall. Meanwhile, the Phoenix capitalized on rebound opportunities to build a six point lead at 17-11. Breon Oldham checked into the game and created lively on-court energy which saw Cumberland's lead expand.
Freeman dominated the final minute of the half, hitting four of the final five buckets to add fuel to the fire. The Phoenix went into the break shooting 46.2% from the field while holding Providence to just 23.1%, resulting in a 30-18 lead to start the third quarter.
Providence's bout of rejected shots did not carry over as they sank the first three buckets of the new half to cut the difference down to seven. A quiet few minutes from CU allowed Providence to make it a two possession game, but Gordon drilled a triple to reclaim the seven point lead.
The final three minutes of the third quarter saw Providence's longest run of the game up to that point, rallying off five unanswered buckets to create a one possession match heading into the final.
The Argos nailed back-to-back triples to open the fourth quarter, capturing their first lead of the game and forcing the Phoenix to calm things down on their end. Neither side played particularly impressive offense in the final six minutes, but Providence's effort from the charity stripe was the difference maker.
It came down to the wire with Cumberland trailing by three at the 30 second mark when a hard drive by Gordon sent her to the line and made for a 50-49 game. With Cumberland forced to buy time with a foul, the Argos continued to execute from the line and pushed their lead back to three.
The unwavering Lindsey Freeman let it fly from behind the arc as time withered down to two seconds and tied up the match. Josie Harville collected the final rebound to force the game into overtime.
The extra minutes were equally exciting with Providence making the first strike but Cumberland quickly answering back. It came down to a matter of free throws as the Phoenix connected on one to make it a 59-58 game, but were unable to knot the score. Providence topped off their afternoon of solid free throw shooting with two more to complete the 61-58 win.
Cumberland will compete in an exhibition match against Murray State this upcoming Tuesday, November 14. Tip off is set for 11 am at the CFSB Center.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#42 Lindsey Freeman: G; 5' 9"; Senior

#2 Kayla Gordon: G; 5' 4"; Senior

#22 Josie Harville: G; 5' 6"; Junior

#4 Breon Oldham: G; 5' 4"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#42 Lindsey Freeman
: 5' 9"; Senior
: G

#2 Kayla Gordon
: 5' 4"; Senior
: G

#22 Josie Harville
: 5' 6"; Junior
: G

#4 Breon Oldham
: 5' 4"; Senior
: G