LEBANON, Tenn.--Cumberland Women's Basketball had chances late to get back into, but could not get over the hump falling to Bryan in the opener 56-49. 

Cumberland (0-1) had their struggles early finishing shooting 32.8& from the field and connected on just 2-of-16 triples. The Phoenix did dominate the boards posting 22 offensive rebounds, but struggled finishing at times throughout the game. Cumberland turned over the ball 23 times that translated to 17 points for the Lions. 

Emaleigh Tarpley posted a double-double finishing with 12 points and 13 boards. Ever Walker in her first game as Phoenix finished with a game-high 14 points on 4-of-12 shooting. Kayla Gordon finished with seven points playing all 40 minutes. 

Bryan shot 40.7% from the field and hit five threes in the game. The Lions had 31 rebounds and assisted on 14 baskets. Ayanna Kinnard finished with a team-high 13 points off the bench shooting 6-of-10 in just 18 minutes. Kadee Ferrel finished with 12 points and nine rebounds with four assists. 

Both teams tried to settle into the first quarter. After four minutes of play the game was knotted a 4-4 before Bryan hit back-to-back threes to go up 10-4. Tarpley immediately answered for a two, but again the Lions on a 4-0 spurt to get up 14-7. The Phoenix trailed 16-11 going into the second quarter. 

Walker and Colston connected on two-pointers to start the second and get back within a point. After a free throw from the Lions and some empty possessions both ways, Torrie Brooks drilled a three from the top of the key to go back up by five. Marley Hyde connected on a layup to make the score 20-17 going into the media. The Phoenix got just one more bucket the rest of the second to trail at the break 26-19. 

Both teams came out of the half scoring fast. The Phoenix gave up an offensive rebound and Autumn Davis hit a three from the left wing to push the score to 35-26 into a timeout from Bryan with 6:36 left in the third. 

Cumberland came out of the timeout and Tarpley picked a steal and dished to Walker for Cumberland's first three of the game. The Phoenix doubled their offensive output in the third quarter scoring 19 points, but Bryan managed to keep with them scoring 15 as CU trailed 41-37 heading into the fourth. 

To start the fourth, both teams feel cold. Cumberland got several offensive rebound in the opening minutes of the fourth, but could not convert while Bryan was held scoreless for nearly four minutes of game time. 

The Phoenix tried to snake a run late, but the Lions held off the attempt and came out with a 56-49 win over Cumberland to kick start the season. 

Cumberland will be back on the road for the next month of action starting on November 1st on the road at Brescia.