CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – Hoping that a return to the Powell Athletic Center would also signal a return to the win column, the Campbellsville University men's basketball team fell to Freed-Hardeman Monday evening 85-77.
The Tigers got off to a strong start, opening the first 6:15 of the game leading 16-0 as they maintained a double-digit lead throughout a majority of the first 20 minutes. FHU went on a run late in the first half to cut the CU lead to 39-34 at halftime, ending the final 3:01 of the half on an 11-3 run.
Campbellsville did a good job coming out of halftime, not allowing the Lions' momentum to turn into a Lions lead as the closest Freed-Hardeman got was about four points through the first 10 minutes of the second half. The Tigers even climbed their lead to 10 points at 63-53 and it looked like frustration was setting in on the Lions after FHU head coach Drew Stutts picked up a technical foul.
The lead grew to 10 points again after
Max Reyes hit a two of a possible four free throws following the technical at the 7:53 mark in the second half. After that moment, Freed-Hardeman outscored CU 30-12 to close out the game to end up winning by eight points.
Lions' point guard Kortland Martin led the charge during the comeback as he scored or assisted on 21 of the 30 points in the final 7:53. Martin finished with a game-high 29 points while adding seven assists, six rebounds, and four steals.
Once again
Taiveyhon Mason and Reyes led the way offensively for the Tigers as Mason finished with a team-high 21 points with Reyes struggling from the floor despite scoring 19 points as nine of his 19 came from the free throw line. The pair struggled from the outside as Reyes, who came into the game shooting 60 percent from three, went 2-of-11 from deep and Mason missed all five of his three point attempts.
Jay'von Jackson (12) and
Ross Ryan (10) added double figures off the bench with
Brayden Sebastian adding a pair of three pointers on his way to six points,
Alston Davis adding five points in his return from a thumb injury, and
Lenorris Mincey and
Taj Price each adding a basket in the game.
Campbellsville will get back on the road for a quick trip to Georgetown to face the Tigers for the second time in 10 days in Georgetown, Ky. for an 8 p.m. ET scheduled tip.
