Women's Basketball Continues to Receive Votes in the NAIA Top 25 Coaches' Poll

LEBANON, Tenn.--Cumberland women's basketball continued to receive votes in the latest edition of the NAIA Women's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Poll, released Wednesday by the national office.

Cumberland holds a 14-10 overall record and has been strong inside the Dallas Floyd Arena with an 8-3 home mark. The Phoenix rank 21st nationally in free throws made per game (15.3) and 16th nationally in total free throws made (366), consistently capitalizing at the stripe. Cumberland also ranks 37th nationally in free throw percentage (73.6%), 45th in rebound margin (+5.5), and 46th in opponent three-point percentage (27.1%), emphasizing its defensive discipline on the perimeter.

Offensively, the Phoenix average 71.7 points per game while shooting 40.7% from the field and 31.1% from beyond the arc. Cumberland has outrebounded opponents by nearly six boards per contest and holds teams to just 62.7 points per game, ranking inside the top 75 nationally in scoring defense.

Individually, Ty Buckley leads the Phoenix at 15.3 points per game while shooting 81.8% from the free throw line and pulling down 5.8 rebounds per contest. Emaleigh Tarpley anchors the paint with 11.5 points and a team-best 8.2 rebounds per game, totaling 197 boards on the year. Braley Bushman adds 11.2 points per contest while shooting 38.3% from three-point range, and Riley Long chips in 9.5 points and 5.6 rebounds per outing, giving Cumberland four reliable scoring options.

At the top of the poll, Dordt (Iowa) remained the unanimous No. 1, followed by Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) at No. 2 and Bethel (Tenn.) at No. 3. Marian (Ind.) climbed to No. 4 while Campbellsville (Ky.) rounded out the top five. Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) made one of the biggest jumps of the week, soaring to No. 13, while Loyola (La.), Langston (Okla.) and Carroll (Mont.) each broke into the Top 25.

Around the Mid-South Conference, every team in the league remains ranked or receiving votes. Freed-Hardeman leads the way at No. 2 with a 22-2 record. Bethel sits No. 3, Campbellsville checks in at No. 5, and Lindsey Wilson jumps to No. 13. Cumberlands (Ky.) slid to No. 21, while the Phoenix continued to receive votes alongside Georgetown (Ky.).

Cumberland will look to close the gap in conference play as they continue their Mid-South slate, seeking momentum down the stretch heading toward postseason play.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#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

Players Mentioned

#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