Men's Basketball 1/31/2020 11:34:00 AM CU Athletics

CU's clash as the Tigers travel to Lebanon, Tenn. to battle the Phoenix

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - After getting over the hump in MSC play with a ten-point win over Life University, the Tigers now travel to Lebanon, Tenn., looking to take down the Phoenix of Cumberland University for the second time this season.

The Tigers hold a one game lead over the Phoenix in the MSC standings as the battle for positioning continues. In the midst of a five-game winning streak against the Phoenix, the Tigers will look to continue that spell on Saturday.

HOW TO FOLLOW

Matt Payton will be on the call for the game on 88.7 The Tiger and www.CampbellsvilleTigers.com/watch, with pregame starting at 2:45 p.m. ET.

SERIES FACTS

On Saturday, the Tigers visit Cumberland University for their 18th time and the programs are meeting for their 41st times in history.
Since their original meeting in 1980, the Tigers lead the overall series 26-14 and have gone 9-8 on the road at Cumberland University.
Campbellsville is currently in the midst of a five game win streak against the Phoenix dating back to Jan. 27th, 2018.
This marks the second meeting this season, after the Tigers sealed an 81-59 win in the Powell Athletic Center on Jan. 1st.
In this matchup, the Tigers exploded for 47 points in the second half behind double digit performances from Taiveyhon Mason, Richie Mitchell, Ronald Taylor, and Justin Tucker.

SCOUTING THE PHOENIX

Despite going 3-7 in their last 10 games, Cumberland enters this game winning two of their last three games over Oakwood and Life.
As a whole, Cumberland has developed their offensive presence around Jalen Duke who leads the team with 17.82 points per game on 59.6% shooting, which ranks 14th in the NAIA.
The Tigers will have to try and run Duke off of the three point line, as he also is the top ranked NAIA player in 3-pt fg% shooting 57.9% on 44-76.
In their last meeting Duke went 2-2 from deep on his way to a 20 point night.
On the glass, DeMari Davis has become the staple on the inside with 171 total rebounds to lead the team and rank 15th in the NAIA.

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 26-75 from three in the first 16 games of the year for a 34.67% clip, AD has heated up in the Tigers' last few Mid-South Conference meetings.
After exploding for four 3-pointers in the first half against Life, Davis has went 16-32 from deep in the last four games, shooting at a 50.0% clip.
On the season, Davis has recorded a 3-ptr. in every game outside of Ohio State-Mansfield nad Oakwood University.

DEFENSE SPARKS THE TIGERS

Campbellsville has found their success when defense plays strong, as they are 14-6 when holding opponents to under 50% shooting and 13-3 when opponents shoot less than 35% from three.
Allowing 67.2 ppg. on the season, CU currently ranks 15th in the NAIA, while also holding opponents to 40.5% shooting to rank 11th.
Campbellsville also ranks 15th in the NAIA with 177 steals on the season, led by Mason's 47.

TIGER CLAWZ

The Tigers have hit a 3-pointer in 541-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 757-624. The second half has been their nemesis only outscoring opponents, 824-766.
Taiveyhon Mason ranks 11th in the NAIA in steals with 47 and No. 22 with 2.04 steals per game.
Mason is 0.6 rebounds away to lead CU in these per game categories - points, assists, steals, and rebounds.
In their last game against Life, Mason led CU in all five major statistical categories.
Through conferene play, Richie Mitchell leads the team in points per game (13.4).

MID-SOUTH RANKINGS

Over halfway through conference play, the Tigers are in a 3-way tie for fourth place in the MSC.
Campbellsville, holding a 4-5 record in conference play is notched with Thomas More and Lindsey Wilson.
In the brutal MSC, each win is crucial for the Tigers to climb up the standings with seven games remaining.

UPCOMING STRETCH

This game marks the final home game at the Powell Athletic Center for two weeks before the Tigers travel to Shawnee State and the University of Pikeville.
The Tigers will look to return to the Powell for their final two home games of the season on Feb. 15 and Feb. 20 as they will play host to Lindsey Wilson College and Thomas More University.

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Players Mentioned

#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.

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

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

Players Mentioned

#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

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

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