Free throw advantage lifts Lady Tigers over Lady Lions

Kaitlynn Wilks | Campbellsville University Athletic (Tiger)

By Press release submission

Jan 19, 2023

The #4 Lady Tigers traveled to face Freed-Hardeman University Saturday afternoon. Lady Tiger Basketball beat the Lady Lions, 74-66. The team's record is now 17-1 for the season.

The game started with both teams battling for the lead. Courtney Pritchett got the first bucket for LTB after Freed-Hardeman made the game's first basket. Campbellsville struggled behind the arc in the first quarter compared to the Lady Lions, but led the game 18-16 going into the second quarter.

The Lady Tigers started the second quarter by stretching their lead, but as the quarter went on, the Lady Lions inched their way back within a bucket of Campbellsville. Freed-Hardeman continued to outshoot Campbellsville at the three-point line, leading to the Lady Lions taking the lead with just under two minutes left on the clock. Bailey Pedigo made a crucial three-pointer in the last few seconds of the half to tie up the game 33-33 at halftime.

The Lady Tigers shot 46% in field goals and went 3-8 behind the arc at the half, while FHU shot 42% in field goals and went 7-17 behind the arc. Campbellsville only had one turnover. However, Freed-Hardeman had 11 second-chance points compared to the Lady Tigers' two. Kayle Luebbe led the team with nine points in just seven minutes. Kaitlynn Wilks followed Luebbe with seven points and one rebound.

Coming out of halftime, Wilks made the first bucket, but FHU answered that with another three. On the next possession, Wilks found herself at the charity stripe, where she earned both free throws and had the first four points for LTB in the second half. The teams continued to battle for the lead throughout the third quarter. Halfway through the quarter, Wilks hit a three-point shot but was answered by another FHU three. To close out the third quarter, Pedigo hit a three-pointer and extended the Campbellsville lead to four, 53-49.

At the start of the game's final quarter, Campbellsville kept their lead and extended it to a seven-point advantage, which was the game's largest lead. Lauren Lee found herself at the free-throw line, where she went 1-2, and Maddy Boyle hit the sixth Lady Tiger three-pointer. In the game's last five minutes, Campbellsville suffered a scoring drought for two minutes, which allowed FHU to shorten their deficit. In the final minute, Pritchett had a basket and a foul where she made the free throw and gave the Lady Tigers an eight-point lead. The Lady Lions made another basket, but LTB came out on top.

Campbellsville improved their three-point shooting in the second half, and both teams shot 41% behind the arc. LTB finished with just one turnover compared to Freed-Hardeman's eight. The Lady Lions outrebounded Campbellsville 30-27 and had a 49% field goal percentage compared to Campbellsville's 467%. However, LTB outshot FHU at the free throw line by 90% to 33%. Wilks led the Lady Tigers with 16 points and four rebounds. Pritchett followed with 12 points and three rebounds.