Men's Basketball 11/16/2019 7:31:00 PM CU Athletics

No. 21 Tigers can't overcome drought in second half, fall to Missouri Baptist 88-84

COLUMBIA, Ky. — Tiger basketball couldn't convert late from the free throw line and every time the Tigers would get a little momentum, it was Missouri Baptist's Brendon Hardy stealing it away as No. 21 Campbellsville lost 88-84 in the Lindsey Wilson Classic.

Ronald Taylor matched Hardy with a game-high 21 points – also a career-high for Taylor. But the Spartans made baskets late to seal the game as the Tigers seemed to have a lid on its basket in the final five minutes.

Four of the five starters for the Spartans finished with double figures as only six scored for first-year head coach Preston Ingram. Behind Hardy's 21 was 18 apiece from James McKelvin and Jahmouri Robinson.

For the Tigers, all five scored in double figures with Taiveyhon Mason and Jacob King both dropping 13 points. Alston Davis and David Simmons both had 11, while Justin Tucker had 10 points and eight boards – which led CU.

Offensive rebounding was the difference as the Tigers were able to get the boards but couldn't convert with the second chances. Missouri Baptist had 10 offensive rebounds and 16 second chance points.

The Spartans (4-1) led for most of the first half but Campbellsville (4-3) was able to cut into the lead with a Justin Tucker dunk and Sam Weining 3-pointer cutting the lead to two, 27-25, with 7:11 left in the opening frame.

Both teams would trade baskets in the opening track meet-like first half. James McKelvin hit a 3, Tucker finished with a jump hook, Brandon Conwright hit a 15-footer and Jacob King answered with a floater in the lane. After all that, the Tigers trailed by three, 32-29, with 5:53 left.

Then the Tigers caught a little fire in the final five minutes. Tucker scored with another jump hook, Simmons finished at the rim with a layup, and Davis nailed a 3-pointer giving the Tigers a 36-35 lead.

Both teams would go cold the next three minutes as neither scored until Davis his what ended up being his second 3-pointer of the first half with 1:55 left. But once CU got the momentum, it was Hardy stealing it back. He answered with a 3 of his own cutting the CU lead back to one, 39-38.

In the final minute, it was Davis' third triple giving CU the four-point lead at halftime, 42-38. But after scoring nine first-half points, Davis was held in check in the second frame with only one bucket.

The Spartans came out of the break and outscored the Tigers, 12-4, in the first five minutes. The lead would grow to as large as seven, 60-53, after Robinson picked up his own miss and scored on the second change opportunity.

The Tigers stormed cutting the lead to two after a Simmons layup, but it was Hardy answering the call for Missouri Baptist at the 5:54 mark that brought the wind of out the sails for CU.

Missouri Baptist's lead grew to as large as 11, 82-71, with 1:49 left. Campbellsville did fight back seven straight points from Taylor and Tucker cutting the lead back to four, 82-78. But that was as close as CU would get.

Campbellsville now will get out of regular season action with an exhibition against Western Kentucky University on Monday, Nov. 18 at 8 p.m. ET. Fans can listen to the action on the CU Sports Network or watch on ESPN3.

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Players Mentioned

#2 Jacob King: G; 5' 9"; Junior; Louisville, Ky.

#4 Ronald Taylor: G; 6' 3"; Senior; Bradenton, Fla.

#22 Sam Weining: G; 6' 3"; Sophomore; Louisville, Ky.

#3 Alston Davis: F; 6' 6"; Junior; Concord, N.C.

#14 Taiveyhon Mason: G; 5' 10"; Junior; Hopkinsville, Ky.

#21 David Simmons: G; 6' 3"; Senior; Henderson, Ky.

#24 Justin Tucker: F; 6' 8"; Junior; Orlando, Fla.

Players Mentioned

#2 Jacob King
: 5' 9"; Junior; Louisville, Ky.
: G

#4 Ronald Taylor
: 6' 3"; Senior; Bradenton, Fla.
: G

#22 Sam Weining
: 6' 3"; Sophomore; Louisville, Ky.
: G

#3 Alston Davis
: 6' 6"; Junior; Concord, N.C.
: F

#14 Taiveyhon Mason
: 5' 10"; Junior; Hopkinsville, Ky.
: G

#21 David Simmons
: 6' 3"; Senior; Henderson, Ky.
: G

#24 Justin Tucker
: 6' 8"; Junior; Orlando, Fla.
: F