Women’s Basketball Faces Off Against Bethel For Second Straight Top Five Matchup

LEBANON, Tenn. -- Cumberland Women's Basketball heads to McKenize to face the No. 3 Wildcats in Crisp Arena

Cumberland (14-8, 0-6) gets another opportunity to get a top five win as the Phoenix go on the road to face off against No. 3 Bethel (20-3, 5-2). The Phoenix are coming off of a close loss to No. 2 Freed-Hardeman where Cumberland was down by as low as five, but the Phoenix would fall to the Lady Lions 65-57.

As a team, Cumberland averages 73.2 points per game on 41/31.9/74.5 shooting splits, while allowing 62.2 points per game on 40.5/27.3/67.4 shooting splits. The Phoenix defense has held their conference opponents under their scoring averages in five out of the six matchups, with three of those Mid-South opponents being held at least 13 points under their scoring average. On the glass, Cumberland averages 39.8 rebounds per game, and 36.2 rebounds in conference play (second in the Mid-South).

Cumberland is led by senior guard Ty Buckley, where the Meridian, Mississippi native is averaging 16.1 points on 39.5% from the field, 30.6% from three, and 81.7% from the free throw line, to go along with 5.6 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game. To complement Buckley, junior forward Emaleigh Tarpley has been a strong force on the glass, as Tarpley has averaged 12 points per game and 8.0 rebounds per game, including 3.0 offensive rebounds per game. Redshirt sophomores Braley Bushman and Riley Long have been able to get some good scoring punch, whether starting or off of the bench, as Bushman is averaging 10.8 points per game on 43.8% shooting and Long is averaging 10.1 points per game on 50.4. Faith Colston (37.1% from three) and Sydney Schwallie (3.1 assists per game) add some strong offensive punch to the Phoenix.

Looking at the Wildcats, they are just coming off of a loss on the road against RV Georgetown 73-70. Bethel averages 76.8 points per game on 45.7/36.1/77.2 shooting splits, while allowing 61.0 points per game on 36.8% from the field and 29.6% from three. On the glass, Bethel averages 33.4 rebounds per game, and 30.1 rebounds per game in conference play, while allowing 32.1 rebounds per game, and 38.4 rebounds per game in conference play.

Bethel is led by sophomore guard Micah Hart, who is averaging 19.7 points per game on 52.3/40.8/89.7 shooting splits. Hart also collects 6.0 rebounds per game and 2.2 steals per game, which also leads the Wildcats. Sophomore forward Mikee Buchanan (15.4 points per game) and senior forward Madison Hart (13.2 points per game) are the other major scorers in this three headed monster that is the Bethel offense.

Looking at the history between Cumberland and Bethel, the Wildcats have the slight edge with 13 wins to the Phoenix's nine. Bethel was able to sweep the Phoenix last season and are looking to add to the two game winning streak in the series. When Cumberland travels to McKenzie, they have a record of 5-8.

Tipoff is set for 5:30 and the game will be broadcasted for free on Bethel's Hudl page with Jon Boyce and Kyle Allen will be on the call on WANT FM 98.9.

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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