JACKSON, Tenn. - No. 1 seed Lambuth University advances to the semifinals of the 29^th Annual NAIA Division I Women's Basketball National Championships with a 66-54 win over No. 3 seed University of the Cumberlands. The win puts Lambuth in their second ever semifinal, with the other appearance coming during their national title season of 2007. 

Lambuth joins No. 1 seed Union (Tenn.) and No. 1 seed Oklahoma Baptist as three of the four No. 1 seed advance to the semifinals. No. 3 seed Oklahoma City rounds out the semifinal group.

In a game that featured below average field-goal percentages from both teams, Lambuth held the lead for all but a few minutes at the start of the game. Lambuth shot 34-percent from the field, and 30-percent (7-23) from behind the arc. Cumberlands managed just 28-percent from the field, and 29-percent (7-24) from three point range. 

Cumberlands scored first on a three pointer from Amber Neace (London, KY). Lambuth answered with a three pointer from Chytearra Kintchen to tie the game. Cumberlands led 5-3 at the 16:09 mark, when another Lambuth three pointer, this time from Meagan Sanders, gave the Lady Eagles the lead for good at 6-5. Lambuth stretched their first half lead up to 10 points, 21-11, with a 15-6 run over the next eight minutes of play. Lambuth held a nine-point, 30-21, advantage at the half. 

The second half started the same way as the first with a three pointer from Neace to cut the lead down to six points. However, the Lady Eagles quickly stretched their lead back up to double figures at 14 points, 43-29 with 13:24 left, thanks to a 13-5 run for Lambuth.  

Cumberlands did not go away without out a fight with a chance for their first ever semifinal appearance on the line. The Patriots answered with a 7-0 run to cut the lead to five at 43-38. Cumberlands stayed within striking distance, trailing by only five points again, 48-43 with 5:21 left, but the Lady Eagles began to pull away once more. Lambuth put the game away with an 18-7 run over the next four minutes to lead 66-50 with 1:05 left, before advancing with the 66-54 final.  

Lambuth was led by Yolonda Johnson with 13 points. Kintchen added 12 points, while Sanders scored 11 points and Tara Robinson added 10 points. Cumberlands was led by Johnna Abney (Mt. Vernon, KY) with a game-high 15 points. Neace scored 11 points, while Sonia Thompson (Utica, MI) grabbed 11 rebounds. 

Lambuth (28-5) advances to the semifinals to face No. 3 seed Oklahoma City at 9:00 pm on Monday, March 23. Cumberlands ends their season at 29-5, a school best for wins. 

 

Article Courtesy of NAIA Sports Information