Portsmouth, Ohio - Shawnee State women's basketball begin a crucial three game stretch on Thursday night when they take on (RV) Cumberland (Tenn.) at Dallas Floyd Recreation Center.

The Bears are 21-3 on the season and 8-0 in the Mid-South Conference. Shawnee State extended their NAIA Division I-best winning streak to 16 games last Thursday, defeating Pikeville 80-53. Bailey Cummins (SO/Brooksville, Kentucky) had 15 points and 12 assists to lead SSU.

Cumberland are 15-8 on the year and 4-4 in the Mid-South Conference. The Phoenix are mired in a two game losing streak, having lost to (3) Campbellsville 82-63 on January 27, and falling to (9) Lindsey Wilson 77-47 on February 1. Cumberland are wrapping up a stretch of having played three straight teams ranked in the top 10 of the NAIA Coaches' Poll.

Shawnee State extended their narrow lead in the all-time series to 8-6 on January 13 with a 57-53 win over Cumberland in Portsmouth. Shawnee State hold a three game winning streak in the series, the longest by either team.

Shawnee State is beginning their most important stretch of the regular season on Thursday night. After Thursday's game, the Bears will face (9) Lindsey Wilson on Saturday, followed by a rematch with Campbellsville in Portsmouth next Thursday in a potential meeting of top five teams.

Tip-off between the Bears and Phoenix is set for 7:00pm Eastern. You can join Jon Loughridge for Thursday's game live on Shawnee SportsNet, found here: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/shawneest/

Game Notes