CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - On Friday night, the Tigers hosted the Simmons College of Kentucky Falcons for the Lou Cunningham Classic. Campbellsville made their largest advantage victory of the season against their lowest-scoring opponent so far, winning 84-48.
Cobe Penny opened the first half with a three-pointer for the Tigers, earning Campbellsville an early lead in the game. The Falcons only made it to the scoreboard until their deficit under the Tigers increased to 6-0. Halfway through the first 20 minutes of the game, Campbellsville's tenacious defense prevented Simmons from scoring any more baskets, increasing their lead to a 19-point advantage. The Falcons scored a few more points, but not enough to catch up with the Tigers. Darius Harding's back-to-back jumpers and successful free throws strengthened Campbellsville's hold on the lead. Going into the second half, the Tigers led the game 38-13.
At the end of the first half, Campbellsville surpassed Simmons in multiple statistical categories, collecting 15 rebounds to their seven, 29 on-court points to their seven, and 18 points in the paint to their eight. The Tigers also led the first half for 88.8% of the time, while the Falcons did not reach the winning end of the scoreboard.
Simmons began the second half with back-to-back layups, quickly retaliated by a three-pointer from Chandler Clements. Tyrelle Hunt's arduous steals and Noah Gordon's unrelenting blocks steadily guarded Campbellsville's upper hand on the game. Jordan Graham scored the seventh Tiger three-pointer bucket and his first points of the game with an agile assist from Hunt. A foul by the Falcons took Cameron Willis to the charity stripe, scoring his first free throws of the season. Donavan Knox came off the bench with a layup, closing the second half with an 84-48 Campbellsville victory.
At the end of the game, Campbellsville outperformed Simmons in multiple categories, collecting 42 rebounds to their 29, 22 assists to their 12, 29 bench points to their 14, and holding the lead for 94.4% of the time, with the Falcons never reaching the winning end of the scoreboard. Clements achieved a new career high with 16 rebounds, making the highest rebound record since 2019. Additionally, multiple players recorded new season highs, including Gordon with three blocks, Harding with six free throws, Penny with four assists, and Graham, Willis, and Hunt with two free throws.
The Tigers will be back in action tomorrow, Saturday, November 25th, hosting the Harris-Stowe State University Hornets for the second day of the Lou Cunningham Classic, beginning at 4 p.m. ET.
