Cumberland Faces Third Top-Five Test in Six Days Saturday

LEBANON, Tenn.--Cumberland women's basketball team closes one of the toughest stretches of its Mid-South Conference schedule on Saturday, traveling to fourth-ranked Campbellsville Tigers to close out three-consecutive games against Top 4 teams in the NAIA.

The Phoenix (13-8, 0-7 MSC) have been tested heavily this week, taking on No. 2 Freed-Hardeman on Monday and No. 3 Bethel on Thursday before squaring off with the fourth-ranked Tigers. Despite the recent results, Cumberland has shown flashes of its identity throughout the stretch, competing defensively and controlling the glass against some of the most efficient offenses in the country.

Cumberland enters the matchup averaging 72.0 points per game while holding opponents to just 62.2 points per contest, ranking among the top 70 teams nationally in scoring defense. The Phoenix also rank inside the top 40 nationally in free throw percentage (73.5) and rebound margin (+6.1), forcing nearly 20 turnovers per game while limiting opponents to 27.1 percent shooting from beyond the arc.

Ty Buckley leads the Phoenix in scoring at 15.7 points per game and remains Cumberland's primary perimeter threat. Emaleigh Tarpley continues to anchor Cumberland on both ends of the floor, averaging 11.8 points and a team-best 8.3 rebounds per game while ranking among the conference leaders in steals. Braley Bushman and Riley Long have provided consistent production and physicality inside.

Campbellsville (18-4, 4-3 MSC) enters Saturday riding a two-game winning streak and averaging 83.9 points per game, ranking inside the top 10 nationally in scoring offense. The Tigers are shooting 46.6 percent from the field and boast one of the most efficient offenses in the NAIA, pairing elite ball movement with aggressive perimeter defense that forces over 23 turnovers per contest.

Whitney Hay leads Campbellsville at 18.3 points per game on an impressive 54.8 percent shooting, while Dea Bradley (13.1 ppg) and Lainey Johnson (8.3 ppg) give the Tigers multiple scoring options at all three levels. Tyra Flowers anchors the interior, averaging 7.6 rebounds while leading the team in steals.

In the previous meeting, Campbellsville used a strong second half to pull away for a 67-55 victory in Lebanon, despite Cumberland forcing 26 turnovers and holding the Tigers to nine free throws in the game. The Phoenix will look to build on that defensive effort while finding greater offensive efficiency against one of the nation's stingiest defenses, which allows just 54.8 points per game.

Tipoff is set for Saturday at the Powell Athletic Center at noon central time, as Cumberland looks to close the week. Jon Boyce will have the call on WANT FM 98.9.

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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