FAYETTE, Mo.— Rounding out their two-day stretch at the Central Methodist University Classic, Owls women's basketball (1-1) dropped their first game of the young 2026-27 season. On the winning side, Cumberlands University (Tenn.) took an early lead and held on to that advantage down the stretch to take the 83-57 victory.
In the opening quarter, CU jumped out to a large advantage. The Phoenix saw 23 points on the board, largely from Emaleigh Tarpley, who tallied nine in the quarter. Tarpley also reeled in three rebounds and earned a steal in the quarter to pace both sides of the ball. Woods scored just nine as a team in the first, with four points coming from senior Layla Young.
The Owls began to figure things out in the second, at both sides finished with 19 in the frame. Young, again, found herself on the top of the box score for the frame with six points and three rebounds accredited. On the other bench, CU guard Cara Lee Gilbert exploded for 11 points in the quarter.
At the half, Woods trailed 42 to 28.
Coming out of the break, Woods had their most efficient quarter. The Owls leveraged eight points from Mya Pflasterer to a 22-point quarter. On the other side of the ball, Woods forced five turnovers for their best quarter of the game.
Down the stretch, Cumberlands' ability to score the basketball proved to be too much for the Owls defense. The Phoenix closed the game with a 23-point fourth quarter performance, while only allowing Woods to see seven points added to their total.
At the final horn Woods trailed by the 83-57 scoreline.
Young and Pflasterer sat atop the leader board with 14- and 10-point performances respectively.
The O's returns to the Hardwood next weekend with a Friday night marquee matchup with Crowley's Ridge before the men take on Avila.
