CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. — For the second time in three years, Campbellsville men's basketball knocks off a preseason No. 1 team. The Tigers beat Dalton State, 85-73, Saturday afternoon in the 16th Annual Lou Cunningham Classic.
Box Score
No. 18 Campbellsville (2-0) was led by Sekou Harris' 24 points on 6-of-8 shooting from behind the 3-point line. CU also picked up double-digit performances from Ronald Scott (16), Roderick Lawrence (15), Dii-jon Allen-Jordan (13) and Dominique Harding (12).
Allen-Jordan recorded his second consecutive double-double with 12 rebounds as well.
The Tigers finished hitting 47.7 percent (31-of-65) from the floor while No. 1 Dalton State (0-2) shot 38.6 percent (27-of-70).
Reigning Most Valuable Player in the NAIA Championship game last season, Jordan Bowling scored 23 points but 10 of those came from the charity stripe. He knocked down all 10 free throws attempts.
Campbellsville lit it up in the first half, hitting seven triples on 16 attempts to take an 18-point lead at the intermission, 48-30.
The second half was a little sloppier, though as Campbellsville settled for long range shots but they weren't falling. The Roadrunners started the period on a 15-9 run and cut the CU lead to 12 at the 11:11 mark.
That scoring margin would stay for the next nine minutes until Dalton State went on a 6-0 run capped by a Bowling 3-pointer with 1:12 left to make things interesting. Campbellsville's Harris then scored with 33 seconds remaining to push the lead back to seven.
Just seconds later, Scott picked up a loose ball with 29 seconds remaining and scored while being fouled. He knocked down the free throw for the old-fashioned 3-point play and pushed CU back ahead by double-digits, 83-73. Scott went on to hit two more free throws with 19 seconds remaining to seal the victory.
Campbellsville turned the ball over 20 times and Dalton State scored 18 points off those turnovers. The Tigers scored 12 points off 12 Dalton State turnovers. CU finished hitting 11-of-27 from behind the 3-point line – only hitting four 3s in the second half.
The Tigers will stay at home and host No. 8 Evangel University on Thursday, Nov. 5 at 7 p.m. ET in Powell Athletic Center. Fans can follow the game live on the CU Sports Network – 88.7 The Tiger and http://www.portal.stretchinternet.com/camp/