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FRANKFORT, Ky. – Eighth-seeded Lindsey Wilson put quite a scare into No.1-seed Cumberland (Tenn.) in the first game of the Mid-South Conference Women's Basketball Tournament, losing 61-56 on Thursday at the Frankfort Convention Center.

The Blue Raiders led by as many as eight points in the second half after taking a 31-26 lead into halftime. But with TaCouya Allen hitting three 3-pointers for a team-high 16 points, the Bulldogs rallied back to take a 39-38 lead with 12 minutes to play after an 8-0 run.

It was Cumberland's first lead since going up 11-9 seven minutes into the first half. Lindsey Wilson led again at 40-39 after a basket by Ashley Rainey but the Bulldogs responded with two free throws from Briannica Tye to take the lead for good.

Rainey led all scorers with 21 points and 12 rebounds. The MSC Player of the Year ends her Blue Raider career ranked third in scoring with 1,834 points and second in rebounds with 1,001. Jasmine Brimm added 11 points after sitting most of the first half with three fouls and Kasey Litzinger joined them in double figures with 10, hitting a pair of threes.

Allen was joined in double figures by Jessica Pace with 14 points on 7-of-11 shooting and Simone Ryan with 12. The Bulldogs advance to Saturday's semifinals where they face the winner between No.4-seed Shawnee State (Ohio) and No. 5-seed St. Catharine (Ky.).

The Blue Raiders weren't without a chance to pull off the upset at the end of the game. The Bulldogs took a four-point lead on a free throw with 30 seconds to play before Litzinger buried a three to make it a one-point game with 19.7 seconds on the clock.

Cumberland hit both of its free throws on the next possession, giving Lindsey Wilson the ball down three. Before she could get off a shot, Tara Arnold was called for travelling with six seconds to play and the Bulldogs finished off the game with two more makes from the stripe. It was a tough ending for Arnold after knocking down a three and jumper to give Lindsey Wilson a 19-11 lead in the first half.

Cumberland struggled from the field for a 36.8-percent showing, while the Blue Raider shot 42.2 percent from the field. The Bulldogs hit two more threes in the game at 5-3, but Lindsey Wilson outrebounded the Bulldogs 38-37. The biggest difference was in turnovers where the Blue Raiders led 15-8.

Lindsey Wilson ends its season with a 16-15 overall record and 7-13 mark in MSC play.