LEBANON, Tenn.--Cumberland put together its strongest offensive stretch of the afternoon in the third quarter, but No. 24 Lindsey Wilson's steady interior scoring and work at the free-throw line proved to be the difference as the Phoenix fell 71-59 in Mid-South Conference action Saturday afternoon at the Dallas Floyd Phoenix Arena.

Cumberland (14-7, 0-5 MSC) finished the game shooting 34.6 percent from the floor (18-of-52) and 20.0 percent from three (2-of-10), while converting 21-of-29 attempts at the free-throw line. The Phoenix totaled 31 rebounds, four assists, four steals, and forced 15 turnovers, but were outscored 44–32 in the paint and committed 28 fouls.

Ty Buckley led Cumberland with 19 points on 6-of-16 shooting to go along with four rebounds, while Braley Bushman added 11 points and five boards off the bench. Ever Walker finished with seven points, and Riley Long chipped in seven points and five rebounds, as the Phoenix received 28 points from their bench unit.

Lindsey Wilson (16-4, 4-2 MSC) shot 47.9 percent from the field (23-of-48) and went 25-of-34 at the free-throw line, using a physical inside presence to control the tempo. Meadow Tisdale led all scorers with 16 points, while Saniyah Shelton posted a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Taylor Guess added 12 points, and the Blue Raiders finished with a +5 edge on the glass.

Points were at a premium in the first quarter as both sides battled to a 9-7 score at the end of one. Shelton scored the first basket of the game on the opening possession before defense took over for the next five minutes. Tisdale would score the rest of the seven points for the Blue Raiders in the period, but Cumberland cut it to a two point game with a basket from Buckley in the final five seconds of the quarter. 

Cumberland opened the second quarter with a quick answer to tie the ball game. Then a Blue Raider turnover that the Phoenix capitalized on put Cumberland out in front. The Blue Raiders would answer right back with a couple of Phoenix fouls and push the lead out to 17-12, before Brillhart made a three to cut the lead down to two. Lindsey Wilson would be out front at the end of the half 28-21. The Blue Raiders would go to the free throw line 10 times in the quarter and would knock down nine of them as the Phoenix would go to the line eight times and only knock down five. 

The second half would start in exciting fashion with both teams exchanging points back and forth as the Blue Raiders would take a 38-29 lead over the Phoenix.  Buckley would knock down both of her free throws to cut the deficit to seven, but the Blue Raiders would answer right back with a and one from Tisdale to push the lead back out to ten.

Both teams would continue to answer with one another until the Phoenix went on a 8-1 run to cut the lead to 47-41. Bushman would get fouled and would go one of two at the line, then a huge offensive rebound and score by Long would cut the deficit to four. The Phoenix would force the Blue Raiders into a huge turnover and a quick score by Bushman to cut it to a two point game.  To close out the third quarter Lindsey Wilson would be out in front 53-48 over Cumberland. 

The third quarter featured a combined 26 free throws from both teams to really get the offense going in the second half. 

Lindsey Wilson would start the fourth quarter going on a 7-1 run going out in front 60-49 as the Phoenix would get in foul trouble. Ty Buckley would put that run to a stop as she hit a three to cut the lead down to eight, but the Blue Raiders would answer right back with a Hodges lay up to push it back to a double digit lead. Lindsey Wilson would later on go on a 7-0 run and push the lead out to 15. The Blue Raiders would hold on to the lead and defeat the Phoenix 71-59. 

The Phoenix will be back at home on Monday to host No. 2 Freed-Hardeman. Tip-off is slated for 5:30 p.m.