Men's Basketball 1/15/2020 12:32:00 PM CU Athletics

CU looks to get back of the winning side in battle for 2nd in MSC

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - After dropping their last MSC matchup to Shawnee State, the Tigers will look to bounce back Thursday evening with another Mid-South Conference battle, meeting the University of the Cumberlands.

With the Patriots, currently holding the second spot in the MSC standings, Campbellsville seeks to take down UC to overtake the second position. The University of the Cumberlands visits Powell in the midst of a five game win streak, dating back to Dec. 29, 2019, as the Tigers will have to come battle ready to trump the hot Patriots and take the 2nd spot in the MSC.

HOW TO WATCH

Matt Payton and Benji Kelly will be on the call for the game on 88.7 The Tiger, WLCU-TV (Comcast 10), and www.CampbellsvilleTigers.com/watch, with pregame starting at 7:45 p.m. ET.

SERIES FACTS

The 71st meeting between the University of the Cumberlands and Campbellsville looks to be a huge game as both squads battle for positon in the MSC standings.
The Patriots currently lead the series, 42-28, and 19-13 inside the Powell Athletic Center.
In three meetings last season, it was three points that separated the Tigers and Patriots.
The University of the Cumberlands were able to overtake Campbellsville in the two regular season meetings, 77-76 and 65-64.
However, the Tigers got the last laugh as they avenged their two one-point losses with a one-point win of their own, 88-87, in the Mid-South Conference tournament.
In the matchup, the Tigers were led by 33 points from Stephaun Adams and another 22 from Andrew Smith.
However, UC returns its leading three scorers from the matchup in Jordan Griggs, Jahi Hinson, and Nnamdi Van Dulm who tallied for 70 of the teams 87 points.

SCOUTING THE PATRIOTS

The Patriots visit the Powell Athletic Center holding an overall record of 13-4, going 3-1 inside MSC play.
As of late, the play of UC has been hot, rolling to a five game win streak, winning 12 of the last 14.
In the midst of their streak, the Patriots have defeated their opponents by over 35 points per game, including a 39-point win over Life University on Saturday.
The 6-8 forward, Caleb Taylor led the Patriots through their pair of MSC wins last week averaging 18.5 points and 12 rebounds per game on his way to the Mid-South Conference's Player of the Week Honors.
As one of the top rebounders in the country, Taylor holds the NAIA number 1 ranking in offensive rebounds per game (4.375), number 2 in field goal percentage (0.703), number 3 in rebounds per game (10.75), and number four in total rebounds (172).
Taylor's numbers have led the Patriots to holding top ten rankings in defensive rebounds per game (29.875) and rebounding margin (11.125).
On the offensive end, UC has spread their scoring out as Tevin Olison, Jordan Griggs, Taylor, and Jahi Hinson all average in double figure scoring.
Ethan Snapp has also made his presence felt from outside the arc, as his 52.7% shooting from 3-point range rank him fourth among NAIA players and help the team to a fifth place ranking averaging 40.9%.

DAVIS FROM DEEP

After slight struggles from behind the arc to start the season, Alston Davis has began to develop into the Tigers' most consistent presence from behind the arc.
Shooting just 26 of 75 from three in the first 16 games of the year for a 34.67% clip, AD has heated up in the Tigers' last three Mid-South Conference meetings.
After exploding for four 3-pointers in the first half against Life, Davis has went 8 of 13 from deep in the last three games, shooting at a 61.5% clip.

DEFENSE SPARKS THE TIGERS

Campbellsville has found their success when defense plays strong, as they are 13-3 when holding opponents to under 50% shooting and 12-2 when opponents shoot less than 35% from three.
Allowing 67.3 ppg. on the season, CU currently ranks 13th in the NAIA.
Campbellsville also ranks 10th in the NAIA with 154 steals on the season, led by Mason's 37.

POWELL IS THE PLACE TO BE

In his four year tenure with the Tigers, Coach Vernon has found tremendous success in the Powell Athletic Center with a 40-15 overall record, highlighted by a 14-2 record last season.
This season, the Tigers have gone 7-4 at home, with two of their four losses coming within three points.

TIGER CLAWZ

The Tigers have hit a 3-pointer in 537-straight games dating back to the beginning of the 2003-04 season on Dakstats.
The first half has been the Tigers' friend this season, outscoring opponents 636-502. The second half has been their nemesis only outscoring opponents, 698-616.
Taiveyhon Mason ranks 13th in the NAIA in steals with 37 and No. 33 with 1.95 steals per game.
Mason is 1.0 rebounds away to lead CU in these per game categories - points, assists, steals, and rebounds.
Through conferene play, Richie Mitchell leads the team in points per game (13.8) and steals (9).

UPCOMING STRETCH

This game marks the third of a four game stretch of home games for the Tigers.
Following this game, Campbellsville will return to the Powell Athletic Center on next Thursday as the first ranked Tigers of Georgetown will visit the Powell Athletic Center.

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Players Mentioned

#32 Andrew Smith: F; 6' 10"; Senior; Johnson City, Tenn.

#14 Stephaun Adams: G; 6' 1"; Senior; Virgin Islands

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

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

#23 Richie Mitchell: G; 6' 1"; Senior; Michigan City, Ind.

Players Mentioned

#32 Andrew Smith
: 6' 10"; Senior; Johnson City, Tenn.
: F

#14 Stephaun Adams
: 6' 1"; Senior; Virgin Islands
: G

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

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

#23 Richie Mitchell
: 6' 1"; Senior; Michigan City, Ind.
: G