WILLIMASBURG, Ky. -- The 25th-ranked Lindsey Wilson women's basketball team got back on the winning track on Saturday afternoon as they defeated Mid-South Conference opponent, Cumberlands (Ky.), 61-51.

Kayla Richardson led the Blue Raiders (14-3, 3-2 MSC) with 17 points, while Malerie Martin chipped in with 14 points off the bench -- which was two points shy of tying her career-high. Martin also led the team with three steals against the Patriots (7-6, 0-3 MSC).

Lindsey Wilson took an early 7-0 lead over Cumberlands in the first 1:46 of the first quarter, but the Patriots scored the next four points to make it a 7-4 game with 6:16 left to play in the first quarter. The Blue Raiders once again extended their lead to seven points after Richardson knocked down a pair of free throws to give Lindsey Wilson a 13-6 edge with 3:26 to play in the quarter. Both teams went cold for the remainder of the quarter as neither team scored over the final 3:26 of the first quarter.

Despite missing their final four field goal attempts of the first quarter, the Blue Raiders went 5-for-12 from the floor in the quarter.

Lindsey Wilson found their shooting touch once again in the second quarter as they went 6-for-8 from the field in the quarter to close out the first half shooting an even 55 percent.

Both teams continued to battle back-and-forth to start the second quarter, but Lindsey Wilson was able to take their first double-digit lead of the game with 4:24 left in the quarters after Richardson hit a three-pointer off a pass from Ashley Johnson to give the Blue Raiders a 20-10 lead.

The largest lead of the first half for Lindsey Wilson came with 1:03 left to play in the third quarter after Cameron McPherson scored her first basket of the game. The Patriots hit a shot at the buzzer, to cut the Blue Raider lead to 26-17 heading into the half.

The Lindsey Wilson defense held Cumberlands to just 23.5 percent from the field and 8.3 percent from beyond the arc in the first half.

The Blue Raiders regained their double-digit lead right of the gate in the second half as Chanel Roberts gave Lindsey Wilson a 28-17 lead. The Patriots continued to chip away at their deficit as they went on an 11-5 run to make it a 33-28 lead with 3:37 left in the quarter after Lydia Box knocked down a three ball for the Patriots.

After shooting 94.1 percent from the free throw line in their last game, the Blue Raiders struggled from the free throw in the quarter as went 1-for-7 from the charity stripe. Despite struggling from the free throw line, Lindsey Wilson scored the final seven points of the third quarter to take a 40-28 lead in to the fourth quarter.

To start the fourth quarter, the Blue Raiders and Patriots traded baskets, and Lindsey Wilson slowly extended their lead to 13 points with 6:31 left in regulation. Cumberlands did not back down as they continued battle their way back into the game. After Lindsey Wilson led 48-35 at the 5:28 mark in quarter, the Patriots went on a 12-4 run over the next 2:48 to make it a 52-47 game in favor of the Blue Raiders.

Over the final 2:40 over regulation, Lindsey Wilson went 8-for-10 from the free throw line to halt the Patriot comeback. The Blue Raiders defense stood strong down the stretch as they came away with a 61-51 victory.

The defense for Lindsey Wilson held Cumberlands to just 32.4 percent from the field for the game, while the Patriots were just 5-for-25 from three-point land. The 32.4 percent for Cumberlands is the third lowest for any Lindsey Wilson opponent this season.

On the offensive end, the Blue Raiders were 52.4 percent from the field for the game. This is the sixth time this season Lindsey Wilson has shot over 50 percent from the floor, and the Blue Raiders now move to 6-0 in such games.

Next up for the Blue Raiders is a road contest in Portsmouth, Ohio on Thursday, as they face No. 9 Shawnee State (Ohio) at 5 p.m. CT.