Eighth-ranked Campbellsville University took sole possession the Mid-South Conference's top spot Thursday with its third conference road victory of the season, 74-58, over No. 13 Pikeville College.
Following the win, CU head coach Keith Adkins' main message to his players was enjoy it, but forget about it. "We're in sole possession. Let's not give it back," Adkins said he told the team. "Great game. Be proud of what you just did. Be proud of your teammates, but let's let it go. We can't be content and be satisfied for what we just did."
What the Tigers did was hold a Top 15 Pikeville team to less than 60 points for the second time this season. It's the 17th time this year CU has held a team below 65 - all but two of those games were wins.
Pikeville led the Tigers only twice Thursday - the opening basket of the game and a three-minute stretch early in the game. Around the 10 minute mark, Shawn Savage hit back-to-back 3-pointers to tie the game and give CU an, 18-15, lead. From there, the Bears never really threatened the Tigers again.
"We knew this would not be easy coming in here, but we kind of made it look easy. We distanced ourselves in the first half and never looked back," Adkins said. "I think this team has got something special as long as we don't take anything for granted moving forward."
Five CU players found their perimeter shot in the first half to accompany 10 points from pre-season All-American Nestor Colmenares. The Tigers' 35-25 halftime lead became 20 points, 60-40, with 7:40 to play, as Shawn Savage connected on his fifth and final 3-pointer of the night to finish with 15 points.
Colmenares led CU with 17 points, seven rebounds and four steals, while senior point guard T.J. Bishop kept his conference average of 14 points per game alive. He finished with four 3's and 16 points, followed by 10 points for Caleb Harris.
Maurice Thomas was the only Pikeville player to reach double-figures, as he led all scorers with 20 points and 11 rebounds.
Defensively, CU held Pikeville to 3-of-13 from beyond the arc and 40 percent shooting in the game, as the Bears were held to their second fewest points of the season. Campbellsville forced 19 turnovers, resulting in 21 points, while the Bears scored on only three of the Tigers' 10 turnovers.
"I think we do one thing as well or better than any other team in the country at our level, and that is compete defensively," Adkins said. "We try to keep you from making shots, keep you off the foul line and limit you to one shot … We want to be the best team in the country to defend the 3-point line. If we do all of that, I don't think people can score enough 2-point baskets against us."
CU is currently second in the nation in 3-point defense, holding teams to 27 percent beyond the arc. The Tigers are also sixth in scoring defense, holding their opponents to an average of 61.8 points per game.
The loss drops Pikeville (19-5, 6-3 MSC) into a tie with Georgetown College (18-6, 6-3) for second place in the conference. University of the Cumberlands (17-7, 5-4) and St. Catharine (17-8, 5-4) are two games out of first place.
Campbellsville (19-6, 7-2 MSC) travels to the University of Rio Grande for a 4 p.m. tip Saturday. Rio was just shy of knocking off Lindsey Wilson College on the road Thursday.
"They're scary." Adkins said. "(Their guard) P.J. Rase can shoot it from anywhere on the floor. I mean anywhere. I know people hear that all the time, but when he crosses mid-court you better be ready to defend."
Pikeville will travel to St. Catharine on Saturday.
