CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. -- Whitney Smith tallied a career-best 20 points on Friday evening, but the No. 5 Campbellsville Lady Tigers were too much for Bluefield in the second half as the hosts claimed the 69-47 win at Powell Athletic Center.
BC closes its 2014 calendar year with a 5-9 mark, while CU improves its season record to 12-1. The teams met just two weeks ago at the Dome Gymnasium, where Bluefield gave Campbellsville a tough test, but eventually fell by a 52-46 margin.
Bluefield hung tight with the Lady Tigers early on, but a strong second half led by four three-pointers from Caroline Owen pushed the hosts to victory.
Smith netted five field goals on the evening including a pair of treys, but also converted at the charity stripe by going 8-for-9 at the line for her career night.
Destiny Tolliver chipped in 12 points and added a game-high 16 rebounds.
Maryah Mazyck added 10 more to round out BC's double-digit scorers.
The teams battled back-and-forth in the early going, while a 6-0 run from BC earned head coach
Corey Mullins' squad a 14-8 advantage with 10:56 remaining in the first half. Smith, Tolliver and
Shelby Key each scored a hoop in the run.
Despite BC being held scoreless over the ensuing five minutes of play, the Lady Tigers were only able to reel off eight-straight points. Key's free throw closed the cold stretch and made the score 16-15 in favor of CU with 5:55 before the break.
Campbellsville began to find its offense late in the half and grew its lead to as many as nine points. Smith knocked down a three with 2:03 to play to pull BC back within six, while both teams added a hoop down the stretch, making it 28-22, Campbellsville, at the half.
However, out of the break, Owen set the tone for CU by knocking down a three for the first score.
A Tolliver bucket made it 34-26 with 16:36 remaining, but Owen chimed back with another triple and make the host's advantage 11.
BC would not be able to pull back within single digits, as the Lady Tigers outscored the Lady Rams 41-25 over the finel 20 minutes of play.
Bluefield finished 17-for-52 (32.7%) from the field, compared to 23-for-61 (37.7%) for CU. BC was just 2-for-11 (18.2%) from long range, with both makes coming from Smith, while Campbellsville went 9-for-24 (37.5%) from distance with Owens knocking down 6-for-12 herself.
Owen tallied a game-high 22 points, while Kristen Jacob and Chelsea Craig tossed in 10 points apiece. Jacob also grabbed a team-high seven caroms. Abby Miller chalked up seven assists.
BC committed 25 turnovers on the evening, while CU had 18 giveaways. Campbellsville had a narrow 40-38 advantage on the glass, after BC outrebounded the Lady Tigers in the first meeting.
Bluefield now faces three weeks without competition, returning to game action on Jan. 3. The squad will host Appalachian Athletic Conference opponent Truett-McConnell for a 2 p.m. tip at the Dome Gymnasium.
