Henderson, Tenn. - - After playing their season opener at home, the Phoenix hit the road to face off against Brescia in the FHU Classic. In a back-and-forth game, Cumberland could not find the run they needed to end the game, falling 54-46.

Both teams were cold for much of the first quarter, struggling to find any sort of rhythm on the attacking end of the court. Myajae Eubanks and Lindsey Freeman both made a pair of layups to lead the Phoenix after one, though the second quarter had more to offer.

Cumberland began to pick up their scoring with Maddie Brillhart hitting a three early after the break. After that point, five different Phoenix scored, with no player scoring more than one time.

Eubanks led the way for the Phoenix after two, scoring six points and grabbing four boards as well. CU trailed 24-21 at the break, but dominated the paint with 14 points, including 6 second chance points.

Unlike the second quarter, the third saw scoring responsibilities shared between just three players, although the teams assist numbers tripled the first half as a whole. Jana Claire Swafford made a layup as the quarter came an end, finishing with 5 points 

Brescia was kept mostly in check from the field, but CU failed to convert on many turnovers they forced, as well as dropping points at the free throw line.

An early fourth quarter Emaleigh Tarpley three-pointer gave Cumberland an extra spark of momentum, forcing five turnovers over the next several minutes. The effort was followed up with a Kayla Gordon and-one layup, which she converted to bring the deficit down to five.

Her heroics came too late though, as the Bearcats converted on their late free throws and kept the Phoenix at bay.

Cumberland will be in action again tomorrow, wrapping up day two action of the FHU Classic. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 PM against Taylor University.