LEBANON, Tenn.--Cumberland Women's Basketball team hits the road for the Mid-South Conference Tournament as the Phoenix enter as the No. 7 seed. They will face the No. 2 seed and No. 2 nationally ranked Freed-Hardeman Lions. Tipoff is scheduled for Friday at 5:00 p.m. CT at Bowling Green High School.

Cumberland is coming off two losses last week against No. 2 Freed-Hardeman and No. 3 Bethel University. The Phoenix are looking to get hot at the right time and make a tournament run toward a national tournament berth. Cumberland faced Freed-Hardeman last Thursday and will look to make adjustments following a 79-48 loss.

The Phoenix enter the tournament with a 15-13 overall record and a 1-11 mark in conference play. This will mark the third matchup between the two programs in the past month, with Freed-Hardeman winning the previous two contests. Cumberland, however, will look to turn the tables the third time around.

Cumberland will be led by senior guard Ty Buckley, who averages 14.5 points per game while shooting 36.8 percent from the field, 27.3 percent from three-point range, and 83.3 percent from the free-throw line. Junior forward Emaleigh Tarpley is also a key contributor, averaging 11.5 points per game while shooting 44.6 percent from the field and 75.4 percent from the free-throw line. She also pulls down 8.1 rebounds per game.

Junior guard Faith Colston adds 5.5 points per game while shooting 35.1 percent from beyond the arc and 34 percent from the field, along with 66.7 percent from the free-throw line. Senior guard Sydney Schwallie contributes 5.8 points per game while shooting 39.7 percent from the field, 32.5 percent from three-point range, and 70 percent from the line. Freshman forward Julia Varpness averages 3.6 points per game while shooting 36.4 percent from the field and 57.7 percent from the free-throw line.

As a team, the Phoenix average 69.7 points per game while shooting 39.7 percent from the field, 31.4 percent from three-point range, and 73.8 percent from the free-throw line.
Freed-Hardeman enters the tournament with a 24-3 overall record and a 9-3 mark in Mid-South Conference play. The Lions are ranked No. 2 in the Top 25 poll and enter as the No. 2 seed. Freed-Hardeman is coming off an extended break, having not played since last Thursday's matchup against Cumberland.

The Lions are led by 2026 All-Conference First Team selection Jenna Satterly, who averages 16.0 points per game while shooting a team-best 57.8 percent from three-point range and 54.4 percent from the field. She is also an 85.2 percent free-throw shooter. Fellow 2026 All-Conference First Team member Lilly Kee anchors the paint, averaging 15.1 points and 6.5 rebounds per game while leading the team with 22 blocks. Kee shoots 63.6 percent from the field and 90.8 percent from the free-throw line. Additionally, 2026 All-Conference Second Team selection Rachel Satterly averages 11.1 points per game while shooting 36.2 percent from three-point range and 39.1 percent from the field.

For the Phoenix, controlling the paint against Kee and Weathers, limiting the perimeter shooting of the Satterly sisters, and winning the turnover battle will be key factors.

The programs have met 46 times since 1998, with Freed-Hardeman holding a 39-7 advantage and winning four straight. Cumberland will look to find momentum at the right time and use a strong tournament performance to propel itself toward a national tournament bid.

Tipoff is set for 5:00 p.m. CT as the Phoenix face No. 2-ranked Freed-Hardeman in Bowling Green, Ky. The game can be viewed on Urban Edge Network or heard live on 98.9 WANT.