The #25 Cumberlands Patriots women’s basketball team opened their season in spectacular fashion, putting on a defensive clinic that fueled an offensive explosion in a 114-64 dismantling of Simmons College. The Patriots forced an incredible 28 steals and showcased their depth with five players scoring in double figures in the dominant victory on Randy Vernon Court.

A Fast and Furious Start

The Patriots set the tone from the opening tip, overwhelming the Falcons with a blistering 14-0 run to start the game. The defensive pressure was relentless from the very first possession, as Darcie Anderson came up with a steal and converted a three-point play. That was just the beginning, as UC forced four straight steals that led to four consecutive baskets, pushing the lead to 12-0 in just over a minute of play. Zaram Fredricks capped the run with a putback, and the Patriots never looked back, taking a 28-15 lead after the first quarter.

Bench Provides a Spark in the Second

The pressure didn’t let up in the second quarter, as the Patriots’ depth took over. Joy Kendrick and newcomer Jaydyn Carrico combined for the first eight points of a run that extended the lead to 40-17. The hustle was on full display midway through the quarter when Peyton Mounce dove on the floor for a loose ball, starting a fast break that ended with an Aden Clark pass to Carrico for the finish. The Patriots took a commanding 53-28 lead into the halftime break.

No Let-Up After Halftime

Any thoughts of a comeback were quickly erased as the Patriots opened the second half with another massive 14-0 run. Joy Kendrick and Aden Clark each drained three-pointers during the surge, blowing the game wide open. The steals continued to pile up, leading to easy transition points as the Patriots built an insurmountable 80-43 lead heading into the final frame.

Surpassing the Century Mark

The fourth quarter was a victory lap for the Patriots as they cruised to the finish line. A layup from Zaram Fredricks pushed the lead to 97-56, and a few moments later, back-to-back layups from Clark and Anderson put the Patriots over the 100-point mark for the second consecutive season. In a special moment, Noel Smith sank her first collegiate bucket, and the Patriots closed out the impressive 114-64 win.

Patriots By The Numbers

  • A Dominant Debut: Newcomer Jaydyn Carrico led all scorers, pouring in 20 points off the bench to go with 3 steals.
  • Double-Double Machine: Zaram Fredricks was a force on the glass, recording her first double-double of the season with 14 points and 13 rebounds.
  • All-Around Star: Joy Kendrick did it all, stuffing the stat sheet with 18 points, 5 assists, and 5 steals.
  • Defensive Menace: Aden Clark was a key contributor on both ends, chipping in 15 points and 5 steals.
  • Team Effort: The Patriots’ defense was the story, forcing 28 turnovers and converting them into 51 points. They also dominated the boards with 21 offensive rebounds.

Up Next

The Patriots return to the court on Thursday, October 30th, when they host (RV) Huntington as part of the Patriot Classic. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m.

Final Score: Cumberlands 114, Simmons 64

Patriots Nation Player Of The Game

Jaydyn Carrico

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