Phoenix Pull Away from Oakwood in Season Opener

Box Score LEBANON, Tenn.--Cumberland women's basketball opened the 2025-26 season in dominant fashion Thursday night, cruising past Oakwood (Ala.) 87-70 inside the Dallas Floyd Phoenix Arena.

Cumberland shot 40 percent from the field on 28-of-70 shooting while connecting on 11-of-31 from three-point range (35.5%) and 20-of-28 from the foul line (71.4%). The Phoenix controlled the boards with a 50-40 rebounding advantage, including 20 offensive rebounds that led to 15 second-chance points. CU's defense forced 19 turnovers and converted them into 24 points, adding 34 points in the paint and 41 from the bench.

Braley Bushman led the way with 20 points on 5-of-9 shooting, knocking down a pair of threes and hitting 8-of-11 at the line. Maddie Brillhart added 14 points, hitting four triples, while Ty Buckley posted a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Julia Varpness contributed 12 points and nine boards, and Emaleigh Tarpley tallied 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting. Faith Colston chipped in six points, five rebounds, and three assists in the balanced effort.

Oakwood finished 26-of-66 from the field (39.4%) and 5-of-21 from three (23.8%), while struggling at the line, going 13-of-24 (54.2%). The Ambassadors grabbed 40 rebounds but committed 19 turnovers and 22 fouls. They scored 26 points in the paint and 28 from the bench, finding late offensive rhythm in the fourth quarter.

Trenisha Adams and Alecia Reasor led Oakwood with 16 points apiece. Reasor added four rebounds and went 9-of-10 from the free-throw line. Saniya Keys scored 13 points and grabbed four rebounds, while Jatya Lester chipped in 10 points and four boards. Jazmine Young contributed seven points and six rebounds in the loss.

Buckley scored the first points of the season for Cumberland from the charity stripe to spark a 6-2 run as Tarpley knocked down layups on back-to-back possessions. Oakwood responded with a three, but so did Colston for her first points of the season. Julia Varpness went a five-point sport with a two and a ball for her first points of her college career to give CU a 15-9 lead with four minutes left in the first.

Oakwood went a four-point run with a free throw and a three, but Buckley layed in a two, Tarpley followed suit, and Maddie Brillhart drilled a three for a 23-15 lead at the end of the first.

The Phoenix exploded in the second frame, outscoring Oakwood 30-9 to stretch the lead to 53-24 at halftime. Bushman caught fire with 13 of her 20 points in the period, while Buckley and Varpness added interior scoring. CU's defensive pressure forced multiple turnovers, fueling transition buckets and open threes.

Oakwood found a bit more rhythm after halftime, but Cumberland maintained a comfortable margin. Tarpley and Brillhart combined for key baskets to keep the Phoenix steady, as the team entered the final quarter up 74-40 after three periods.

With the game well in hand, Oakwood outscored Cumberland 30-13 down the stretch as the Phoenix turned to their bench to close out the win. Despite the late surge, Cumberland's early dominance secured the 87-70 victory and a 1-0 start to the season.

Cumberland returns to action Monday, October 27, with a road matchup at Bryan College. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m. in Dayton, Tennessee.

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Players Mentioned

#32 Maddie Brillhart: F; 6' 1"; Junior

#11 Faith Colston: G; 5' 7"; Junior

#15 Emaleigh Tarpley: G/F; 5' 11"; Junior

#24 Ty Buckley: G; 5' 6"; Senior

#1 Braley Bushman: F; 5' 10"; Redshirt Sophomore

#23 Julia Varpness: F; 6' 0"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#32 Maddie Brillhart
: 6' 1"; Junior
: F

#11 Faith Colston
: 5' 7"; Junior
: G

#15 Emaleigh Tarpley
: 5' 11"; Junior
: G/F

#24 Ty Buckley
: 5' 6"; Senior
: G

#1 Braley Bushman
: 5' 10"; Redshirt Sophomore
: F

#23 Julia Varpness
: 6' 0"; Freshman
: F