LEBANON, TENN—The Carthage College women's basketball team met Allegheny College for the first time ever on day two of the Music City Classic on Friday afternoon at Cumberland University. The Lady Reds were in pursuit of notching a 2-0 record at the Music City Classic after defeating Stevenson University 71-59 on Thursday evening.
 
The Gators have mustered a 2-9 record prior to their date with Carthage despite having four players averaging in double-figure scoring on the season. The Lady Reds held only one Allegheny player to double-figures en route to a 76-45 victory.
 
The Lady Reds improve to 7-4, 2-1 CCIW while the Gators fall to 2-10, 0-4 NCAC.
 
Lady Reds 76, Allegheny College 45
 
Both teams combined for seven three-pointers in the first quarter. Bailey Gilbert went two-for-two from beyond the arch in the opening frame, but it was Carthage's defense that propelled them to a 26-16 lead after the first quarter. The Lady Red defense held Allegheny to just 4-of-17 from the field in the quarter to maintain a 10-point cushion.
 
The Gators narrowed their deficit to 28-23 at the 8:03 mark of the second quarter before the Lady Reds regained a double-digit lead for good. Morgan Vukovich and Rachel Szydlowski each nailed a layup to stretch the Carthage lead to 33-23 with 4:58 left in the second quarter before taking a 40-25 lead into halftime.
 
The Lady Red defense continued to prevail as they held Allegheny to 7-of-29 (3-of-12 in the second quarter) from the field in the first half.
 
That figure deflated further in the third quarter as Allegheny registered a 1-of-16 mark in the frame to help Carthage stretch their lead to 54-30 heading into the fourth.
 
The Lady Reds' 69-38 lead at the 4:38 mark of the fourth quarter provoked head coach Tim Bernero to empty the bench, which allowed 16 players game action. Twelve different Lady Reds found the scoring column.
 
The Carthage defense held Allegheny to 14-of-60 from the field and 8-of-24 from beyond the arch in the game. 
 
Madie Kaelber paced the Lady Reds in scoring with 20 points. Gilbert added 15 points, three assists, two steals and two blocks. Morgan Harris registered 12 rebounds and five assists while Maggie Berigan added 10 boards.
 
"The pace of the game was pretty hectic," said Bernero. "They were pressing us, but we were making shots and didn't concern ourselves with slowing down."
 
The Lady Reds will begin a three-game home stand on Wednesday, January 4 against North Park University at 7:00 p.m.