Men's Basketball 1/2/2020 11:37:00 AM CU Athletics

2020 action begins as the Tigers return to the Powell to for MSC home opener against Cumberland

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – As the 2020 calendar year begins, so does a busy stretch of Mid-South Conference play for the Tigers as they play host to the Cumberland University Phoenix in their MSC home opener on Saturday, Jan. 4^th at 4 p.m. ET.

HOW TO FOLLOW

Matt Payton 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 3:45 p.m. ET.

SERIES FACTS

Saturday's meeting with the Phoenix will be the 40th all-time meeting between the two programs since 1980.
Heading into the matchup, Campbellsville owns the series lead 25-14 with a 15-5 record in the Powell Athletic Center.
Currently in the midst of a four game winning streak against the Phoenix, with their last loss coming on Feb. 4, 2017, Campbellsville looks to match their longest winning streak against Cumberland that spanned from Feb. 7, 2013 to Feb. 7, 2015.
In his tenure with the Tigers, Coach Vernon has held his own with the Phoenix, boasting a 4-2 record, with his only loss coming in his first year at the helm.
Last season, the Tigers won both meetings over the Phoenix with 54-53 and 76-69 victories.
As Cumberland visited Powell last season, it was a matchup any fan could hope for as Campbellsville overcame an eight point second half deposit on a late putback from Andrew Smith with 17 seconds remaining.
Shooting only 29% from the field, the Tiger defense flexed its muscle, forcing 19 turnovers in the victory.
21 days later, the Tigers visited Lebanon to score 52 points in the second half on their way to the 76-69 win.
Four Tigers scored in double digits behind 21 from Hagen Tyler.

SCOUTING THE PHOENIX

On the season, Cumberland University holds a 9-5 record, going 1-1 inside MSC play.
In three games with teams mentioned in the NAIA's top 25 poll, the Phoenix have played to a 2-1 record including wins over the 13th ranked Oklahoma Science and Arts and an overtime victory over Shawnee State, who was listed in the receiving votes category.
Jalen Duke has shown his scoring prowess thus far leading the team with 17.6 ppg.
In route to his high scoring totals, Duke leads the country in 3-point field goal percentage at 58.8% while also ranking in the top 20 in field goal percentage (60.2%) and total scoring (246).
On the glass, Cumberland has been led by DeMari Davis who ranks in the NAIA's top 20 in total rebounds (116) and offenrece rebounds per game (3.36).
As a team, the Pheonix have had defensive success forcing difficult shots from beyond the arc as their 29.7% opponent 3-point field goal percentage ranks them 13th in the country.
In matchups with similar opponents, both Campbellsville and Cumberland have faced Philandar Smith and Oakwood, where both squads went 2-0 against these competitors.

TIGERS STEP UP IN SPITE OF INJURIES

Despite missing Justin Tucker, De'Undra Singleton, and David Simmons for the entire Cumberlands Classic, and Richie Mitchell for game two, Campbellsville was able to come up with big time individual performances to mark wins against Miami (Hamilton) and Carver College.
In the scoring column, Taiveyhon Mason put together is best two game scoring stretch as a Tiger as he was able to reach a new career high on day one of the classic with 25 points against the Harriers of Miami (Hamilton).
Mason then followed that performance with a 24 point outing against Carver College the next day. In the meeting with Carver, Ronald Taylor was able to gather 22 points of his own while also adding seven rebounds to his totals.
Despite struggling the scoring column, Jacob King found other ways to lead the Tigers to wins as he set a career high in rebounds with seven against the Harriers and then matched that total against the Cougars.
King also went on to set a new season high in assists (6) and career high in steals (5).
Playing the big man role for CU, Alston Davis also used the weekend to set two rebound career highs, as well as career marks in steals and blocks.

KANGNI MAKES HIS DEBUT

After battling injuries during his first year and a half as a Tiger, Kevin Kangni was able to suit up for Campbellsville in the Cumberland Classic.
With his official debut coming against Miami (Hamilton), Kangni was able to notch his mark into the statical column the following day as he went 2-3 from deep to record six points.
As Campbellsville has struggled from deep so far this year, the Tigers will look to utilize Kangni to spread the floor and attach from outside the arc.

TIGER CLAWZ

The Tigers have hit a 3-pointer in 531-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 566-457. The second half has been their nemesis only outscoring opponents, 618-553.
Campbellsville has found their success when defense plays strong, as they are 10-2 when holding opponents to under 50% shooting and 9-1 when oppoents shoot less than 35% from three.
Taiveyhon Mason ranks 14th in the NAIA in steals with 29 and No. 31 with 1.93 steals per game.
Mason is 1.1 rebounds per game categories - points, assists, steals, and rebounds.

UPCOMING STRETCH FOR CU

This game begins a difficult four games in eight days stretch for the Tigers to open the bulk of Mid-South Conference play.
Following Saturday's meeting with the Phoenix, the Tigers will travel to Marietta, Ga. To face Life University at 8 p.m. ET.
After this game, Campbellsville will return home for a string of four straight home Mid-South Conference games beginning with Pikeville at 8 p.m. ET on Jan. 9^th and Shawnee State at 4 p.m. ET on Jan. 11^th.

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Players Mentioned

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

#24 Hagen Tyler: G; 6' 3"; Senior; Danville, Ky.

#1 Kevin Kangni: G; 6' 3"; Graduate Student; Porto-Novo, Benin

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

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

#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.

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

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

Players Mentioned

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

#24 Hagen Tyler
: 6' 3"; Senior; Danville, Ky.
: G

#1 Kevin Kangni
: 6' 3"; Graduate Student; Porto-Novo, Benin
: G

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

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

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

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