Women's Basketball Receive Votes in First Regular Season NAIA Top 25 Poll

LEBANON, Tenn.--Cumberland women's basketball receives votes in the first regular season NAIA Women's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Poll released Wednesday by the national office.

After opening the season 6-2 overall, the Phoenix are among just 17 programs recognized outside the Top 25, collecting seven points in the national voting. Dordt (Iowa) held onto the top spot in the first in-season poll receiving all 20 first-place votes. Bethel Tenn.) and Campbellsville (Ky.) followed at No. 2 and No. 3. Marian (Ind.) moved up a spot to No. 4 and Dakota State (S.D.) fell one spot to No. 5.

Every Mid-South Conference team was represented in the poll. Following Bethel and Campbellsville, Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) joined them in the Top 10 at No. 6. The University of the Cumberlands (Ky.) moved up from No. 25 to No. 19 with Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) staying put at No. 24. Georgetown (Ky.) is just outside the Top 25 with 60 voting points to also receive votes with the Phoenix.

Cumberland has been impressive through its opening eight contests, averaging 75.6 points per game while holding opponents to just 60.9 points per contest — a +14.7 scoring margin that ranks among the top 70 nationally. The Phoenix also rank 35th in the country in three-point percentage (35.2%) and 45th in free throw percentage (73.2%).

Offensively, the attack has been well balanced for the Phoenix. Riley Long leads the team with 13.3 points and 8.0 rebounds per game, shooting an efficient 54.5% from the field, while transfer guard Ty Buckley follows with 13.1 points and 7.0 rebounds per outing. Braley Bushman adds 12.0 points per game, shooting 43.5% from the floor and 73% at the line, and Emaleigh Tarpley contributes 9.3 points and 5.5 boards as a versatile inside-out presence.

From the perimeter, Faith Colston and Sydney Schwallie have been lethal threats, each shooting over 44% from three, combining for 22 made triples on the year.

Cumberland has excelled at home with a perfect 4-0 record inside the Dallas Floyd Phoenix Arena, including double-digit wins over Oakwood (Ala.), Johnson (Tenn.), Welch, and Oakland City (Ind.). The Phoenix have also claimed two neutral-site victories over Point and Central Methodist and will look to bounce back after a narrow 65-62 overtime road loss to Tennessee Southern earlier this week.

The Phoenix will continue non-conference play this Friday back at home as CU plays host to Toccoa Falls.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

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

#22 Riley Long: F; 6' 1"; Redshirt Sophomore

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

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

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

#21 Sydney Schwallie: G; 5' 5"; Senior

Players Mentioned

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

#22 Riley Long
: 6' 1"; Redshirt Sophomore
: F

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

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

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

#21 Sydney Schwallie
: 5' 5"; Senior
: G