COLUMBIA, Ky. – The Campbellsville men's basketball team made their regular season debut at the Brady Button Classic hosted by Lindsey Wilson Friday evening. The Tigers captured their first win of the season as they matched-up against Rio Grande. 

The Red Storm seized the opportunity to get ahead of Campbellsville as they scored first. In the next possession, Keaston Brown collected a steal to give the Tigers control. Malik Muhammed took to the rim but was awarded shots at the free-throw line instead. Muhammed went 2-2 from the stripe to put the Tigers on the board. Malachi De Sousa tied up the game at 5 when his layup rang true. The Red Storm had gotten a seven-point lead on the Tigers. Campbellsville couldn't seem to get their shots to fall as they were shooting a 27.3% in field goals.

Chandler Clements, junior transfer, capitalized off an offensive rebound as he put up two-points from a missed basket. Ten-minutes into the first half, Campbellsville's deficit reached double-digits Jarius Key made an impactful bucket to bring the Tigers back into a single-digit trail. A combination of tight defense and persistent offense reigned Campbellsville within three-points of the tie score. The Tigers finished the first half trailing 30-29 after Jordan Graham secured a layup. 

At the half, Campbellsville's shooting percentage fell short 31.8% compared to Rio Grande's 52%. The Tigers were shooting 0-6 from beyond the arc and were looking for shots to get hot in the second half. From the start of competition, Tiger defense was strong. Campbellsville had forced the Red Storm into 10 turnovers. 

Jace Wallace started off the second half with a layup to gain Campbellsville their first lead since the 5^th minute of play. The Tigers kept pursuing the rim to profit themselves a seven-point lead. Key broke through defense for a basket and a chance at the line. Key made the most of his opportunity and placed the Tigers ahead even further. Wallace pulled up from the arc to punch in the first three-pointer for Campbellsville.

Not long after, Javaughn Smith took a chance at the three-pointer to aid in the Tigers' score. Rio Grande put up a fight with the Tigers making it tough for Campbellsville to gain a comfortable lead. With a minute remaining, the Tigers were up by four points. Wallace appeared at the charity stripe with 19-seconds left of play. Wallace went 1-1 from the line. Campbellsville finalized their first win of regular season in a score of 73-68. 

By the end of the competition, Campbellsville was outshooting the Red Storm (52.3 % VS 49.1%). The Tigers exploited off Rio Grande turnovers as they cultivated those pivotal points into 21 points. De Sousa finished the night with 20 points, Wallace keeping close with 18 points, and Key following 11 points. Key led the team in rebounds as he collected eight and Wallace trailed with six.

The Tigers will return to Lindsey Wilson tomorrow afternoon to compete against Baptist Bible College. Tip-off is set to begin at 3 P.M. ET.