Lebanon, Tenn. - - Women's basketball picked up their first win of conference play at home as they upset the No.21 side the University of the Cumberlands.

Cumberland secured a hard-fought 65-61 victory over the University of the Cumberlands on Thursday, holding off a late push to earn the Mid-South Conference win. The Phoenix shot 36.1 percent from the floor 22 of 61, knocked down eight three-pointers, and converted 13 of 15 free throws, using timely shooting and composure down the stretch to seal the result. Cumberland also took care of the basketball with just eight turnovers while forcing 17 from the Patriots.

Ty Buckley led the way with 17 points and eight rebounds, while Braley Bushman added 16 points and eight boards. Ever Walker contributed 12 points, connecting on three shots from beyond the arc, and Riley Long chipped in 11 points. Emaleigh Tarpley provided a spark inside with eight points and five rebounds as Cumberland used balanced scoring and strong late execution to secure the win.

Cumberland battled back from an early deficit in the opening quarter as the University of the Cumberlands jumped out to a 7-0 lead behind strong inside scoring and second chance opportunities. Buckley got the Phoenix on the board with a layup to settle the offense, and Cumberland began to find rhythm shortly after. Walker knocked down a three-pointer to spark momentum before Faith Colston followed with another from beyond the arc, helping quickly shrink the deficit. Bushman added an aggressive drive to the basket as the Phoenix continued chipping away, while defensive pressure from Bushman and Colston helped disrupt the Patriots offensive flow. Cumberland closed the quarter with improved energy on both ends, successfully making it a one point game at 16-17 heading into the second quarter. 

Cumberland carried that momentum into the second quarter, quickly taking the lead when Buckley knocked down a three-pointer to open the period. The Patriots responded with a strong stretch of inside scoring and second-chance opportunities to bring the game back level midway through the quarter, but the Phoenix continued to generate offense through balanced scoring. Long connected from beyond the arc off Buckley's assist, while Bushman added a strong finish inside to keep Cumberland in front. Walker provided another spark later in the quarter, hitting a three-pointer off a feed from Colston to maintain the edge. Despite stretches of back and forth play and physical rebounding on both sides, Cumberland stayed composed offensively and closed the half with a narrow 31-29 lead heading into the break.

Cumberland maintained their composure coming out of halftime, extending the lead early in the third quarter when Walker connected from three off a Buckley assist. The Patriots responded with a scoring run to trim the deficit, but the Phoenix continued to find timely offense. Tarpley converted at the free-throw line, and Bushman knocked down a three-pointer to keep momentum on Cumberland's side. The Cumberlands continued to pressure offensively and briefly narrowed the gap, but Long added a strong finish inside while Buckley contributed key baskets down the stretch of the quarter. Despite the Patriots push, Cumberland held firm and carried a 55-46 lead into the final quarter.

The fourth quarter saw the Patriots make one final push, trimming the deficit and briefly threatening Cumberland's lead with strong rebounding and timely scoring inside. The Phoenix stayed composed under pressure, however, with Buckley converting key free throws and Tarpley adding a clutch layup to keep momentum on Cumberland's side. Defensive stops and rebounding from players like Colston and  Sydney Schwallie helped limit second chance opportunities down the stretch, while balanced scoring allowed the Phoenix to maintain control. Despite the late surge from the Cumberlands, Cumberland held firm in the closing minutes to secure a 65-61 victory and pick up their first conference win!

The Phoenix will be back in action and look to carry momentum in their next game at the Dallas Floyd Phoenix Arena on Saturday as they face Georgetown College at 1pm.