LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Tournament MVP Kayla Jenerette pumped in 25 points to lead the Cedarville University Lady Jackets to a 67-56 win over host Bellarmine in the championship game of the Bellarmine Classic.
CU advanced to the finals of the two-day tournament, after earning its first-ever NCAA Division II women's basketball win, in the teams first contest of the season. The game was not only the teams first win, but it was a tremendous upset victory over nationally ranked, #24 Ferris State.
In the championship game, the Lady Jackets took the lead for good five minutes into the contest at 6-4 on a lay-up by all-tournament team choice Kayla Linkous. They inflated their advantage to 14 and settled for a 30-18 lead at the break, but the host Knights made a significant charge in the second period.
Bellarmine closed to within 40-39 with 9:30 left. An 8-1 spurt gave CU some breathing room and 9-for-10 free throw shooting in the final minute eventually clinched the outcome to move to 2-0 on the young season.
Jenerette hit four three-pointers, came away with three steals, and handed out two assists. Linkous joined Lauryn Robinson with a game-high nine rebounds apiece.
Raegan Ryan was 8-for-8 at the charity stripe and totaled 11 points. Cedarville hit 22-of-29 free throws as a team.