CU subs lead way past Mid-Continent

MAYFIELD, Ky. — Facing a second-year team, Cumberland coach Clint Mason rested his regulars and let the reserves lift the No. 11 Lady Bulldogs to a 97-53 mauling of TranSouth Conference newcomer Mid-Continent on Thursday.
And one of those backups, Kristin Kirkland, fired in four three-pointers on her way to 21 points in the final game of her junior season. The former Lebanon Devilette, who had made several big plays off the bench in recent games, is scheduled to have both knees scoped by Titans physician Dr. Burton Elrod, which will require some eight weeks of rehab, Mason said.
"We're going to miss an upperclassman like Kristin Kirkland, who has a tendency to make a big play down the stretch," Mason said after his Lady Bulldogs improved to 14-3 for the season and 4-2 in the TSC. Kirkland will be ready to play next year.
Ewa Bukowska tossed in 22 points and swiped seven steals while starter Renae Williams scored 17, backup guard Keshia Forrest 14, Mariel Ruis 11 with eight blocks, starter C'Kala Humes 10 and Ashley Cross two.
"Our top seven only played about an average of eight to nine minutes apiece," said Mason, whose Lady Bulldogs travel to Pulaski on Saturday for a 2 p.m. conference clash at Martin Methodist, which had enough votes in this week's NAIA poll to be ranked No. 32. "They didn't play much at all. We wanted to give a lot of different people a lot of different looks.
"We wanted to make sure we rested our top seven for Saturday."
Mason even held a couple of players out. Guard Isabelli Cunico stayed home to rest a foot injury while Juliana Fernandes was out sick.
Cumberland raced to a 53-31 halftime lead.