Box Score CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. -- Campbellsville University men's basketball moved into control of its own fate in the MSC standings Thursday, as the Tigers' 74-62 win over the University of Rio Grande was accompanied by a few upsets in the Mid-South Conference. But before the Tigers could gain any ground, they had to first avoid becoming a milestone in Rio Grande history as the program's first MSC win. 

The Tigers saw a nine-point lead slip away late in the first half, as the RedStorm went on a 17-6 run to take a 34-32 lead with two minutes left until halftime. Looking as if the game would enter halftime tied, 36-36, Adrian Whelan gave the Tigers a one-point halftime lead after being fouled at the buzzer while shooting a 3.

Rio remained close for the first eight minutes of the second half, and leading by as many as three, 47-44, before the Tigers went on a run.

Reggie Smith regained the Tigers' lead, 47-46, for good with a 3-pointer. Over the next seven minutes, Campbellsville went on a 20-2 run to work their lead up to 16 points, 64-48. JaVaughn Espritt scored led the charge with 10 of his 18 points coming during that span. He also had 16 rebounds.

While Espritt led the CU rally, it was Caleb Harris that led CU in the game with 21 points, five assists and five steals. Shawn Savage and Smith followed with 15 and 14 points, respectively.

Campbellsville (13-9, 7-5 MSC) maintains its fifth-place tie with Lindsey Wilson in the MSC standings and sits a game and a half out of second place behind University of the Cumberlands (8-3), Pikeville College (8-4) and St. Catharine College (8-4). Georgetown leads the MSC standings at 10-2.

The Tigers will host West Virginia University Tech on Saturday at 4 p.m. Tech knocked off St. Catharine College, 100-92, in overtime Thursday.

STAT SUMMARY
Rio Grande (62) - Jackson 14, Campbell 13, Warmack 12, Gunnell 6, Marti 6, Cubbie 4, Bates 3, Whiting 2, Birchfield 2. Totals 25-75 6-10 62.

Tigers (74) - Harris 21, Espritt 18, Savage 15, Smith 14, Crittenden 4, Whelan 1, Bohm 1. Totals 18-49 30-45 74.

Half-time - Campbellsville 37-36.

Three-point goals - Rio Grande 8-21 (Campbell 4, Warmack 3), Campbellsville 8-20 (Smith 4, Savage 4).

Rebounds - Rio Grande 50 (Marti 11, Jackson 11), Campbellsville 48 (Espritt 16).

Assists - Rio Grande 13 (Warmack 3, Bates 3), Campbellsville 15 (Harris 5, Savage 4).

Steals - Rio Grande 5, Campbellsville 11 (Harris 5).

Blocked shots - Rio Grande 4; Campbellsville 4 (Smith 2).