CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky,--Cumberland battled throughout but couldn't overcome an early deficit as No. 4 Campbellsville held on for a 74-64 win on Saturday.

Cumberland (14-10, 0-8 MSC) shot an efficient 45.8 percent from the floor (22-of-48) and finished 6-of-19 from three-point range while knocking down 14-of-18 free throws. The Phoenix scored 32 points in the paint and finished with 25 rebounds, but were hurt by 20 turnovers that led to Campbellsville opportunities. Defensively, Cumberland forced 16 turnovers and recorded eight steals, but was out-rebounded 35–25 overall.

Braley Bushman led all scorers for Cumberland with 22 points, shooting 6-of-13 from the field and 8-of-10 at the free-throw line while adding five steals. Ever Walker chipped in eight points and three assists, and Maddie Brillhart added seven points off the bench. Ty Buckley finished with six points and a team-high eight rebounds, while Faith Colston contributed seven points on 3-of-5 shooting. Emaleigh Tarpley pulled down six rebounds and added two assists in limited time dealing with foul trouble. 

Campbellsville (20-4, 5-3 MSC) finished the game shooting 43.2 percent (32-of-74) and matched Cumberland with six made threes on 22 attempts. The Tigers controlled the glass, grabbing 15 offensive rebounds and 35 total boards, and dished out 21 assists on 32 made baskets. Campbellsville also capitalized on turnovers, scoring 21 points off Cumberland miscues, while holding the lead for nearly the entire contest.

Whitney Hay powered the Tigers with 20 points on an efficient 10-of-15 shooting performance, adding four rebounds and three steals. Dea Bradley followed with 14 points, five assists, and three steals, while Paige Serafini added 11 points and nine rebounds. Abby Gilbert recorded nine points and two assists, and Hallie Allen chipped in six points as Campbellsville's balanced attack and interior presence proved decisive.


Campbellsville came out firing to open the game, scoring the first eight points and quickly stretching the margin to 15-2 midway through the first quarter. Cumberland settled in from there, using trips to the free-throw line and perimeter shooting to stop the early run. Bushman sparked the Phoenix run with a jumper and four points at the line, while Buckley knocked down a three to trim the deficit to seven. 

Cumberland continued to chip away late in the period, closing the quarter on an 11-4 run capped by layups from Bushman and Schwallie, cutting the deficit to 25-15 heading into the second.

Cumberland continued to build momentum in the second quarter, opening the period with a basket from Colston before Walker drilled a three to pull the Phoenix within nine. Campbellsville answered with scores inside from Hay and a three from Serafini to briefly push the lead back to double figures, but Cumberland refused to let the game get away.

Brillhart converted a layup in traffic and Long added a bucket late, as the Phoenix closed the half on a 9-2 run. Walker capped the surge with a layup in the final seconds on a behind the back dish from Bushman, trimming the deficit to 34-26 at the break.

Campbellsville stretched their lead out in a fast-moving third quarter. Bushman knocked down four straight free throws and added a layup, while Buckley also cashed in at the line as the Phoenix worked to chip away at the deficit. Campbellsville continued to find success inside through Hay and Gilbert, but Cumberland answered with  buckets from Varpness and Tarpley to stay within striking distance. Walker connected from beyond the arc.

Campbellsville went on a 10-2 run to stretch it to a 16-point lead, but the Phoenix closed the quarter with a 6-1 push to trail a 58-47 into the fourth.

Bushman opened the period with a three and followed with a free throw, while Colston and Brillhart added baskets to trim the deficit to single digits midway through the quarter. Campbellsville answered each run with timely scores in the paint from Bradley and Hay, preventing Cumberland from closing the gap further. Bushman knocked down another three late and added a free throw, but the early cushion proved too much to overcome as Campbellsville closed out the quarter to secure the 74-64 win.

Cumberland will be back at home on Thursday as they host the University of the Cumberlands. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. central time.