CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – On Friday night, the Tiger basketball team hosted the Midway University Eagles for their first game in the Campbellsville University Classic, and therefore their first contest in Powell Athletic Center of the year. After strong, physical play from both teams, the game went into overtime where the Tigers took control of the scoreboard, winning 93-87.
In the beginning of the first half,
Jay Milburn and
Jace Wallace secured six points for the Tigers, as Campbellsville's defense prevented Midway from scoring, remaining at zero. The Eagles collected a few buckets of their own, tying the score at seven. Milburn sank a smooth three-point jumper bringing the Tigers back to a tie with Midway. The Tigers had plenty of open looks from deep, but were struggling to convert. With less than 30 seconds left in the first half, the Eagles nailed three of their own switching the score to a two-point advantage in their favor, closing the first 20 minutes of the game with the Tigers trailing, 41-39.
At the half, Campbellsville edged Midway in two major statistical categories: the Tigers shot 45.2% from the field to the Eagles 42.4%, and Campbellsville made 87.5% at the charity stripe to Midway's 71.4%. However, the Eagles were ahead of the Tigers in the contest because of their threes, shooting 44.4% on 18 attempts to Campbellsville's 26.7% on 15. Vick led the Tigers with 12 points and Milburn with eight rebounds.
Campbellsville notched the first point of the second half with
Jace Wallace at the charity stripe. A three-pointer from Midway amplified their advantage, but
Chandler Clements swiftly landed one of his own, bringing Campbellsville closer. The Tigers faced a few more opportunities at the free-throw line, regaining the lead on the game. It became a free-throw contest for both squads, as fouls were rampant. In total, the teams shot a combined 41 free throws. With the scoreboard tied at 80 and less than ten seconds left on the clock, an unsuccessful tip-in by
Darius Harding after a missed layup from Vick sent the game into overtime. In the extra period, the Tigers held the Eagles to a paltry 1-6 from the field. With less than 15 seconds left of overtime, Wallace cemented the win with his two makes at the charity stripe, widening the Tigers' advantage, and closing the game with a Campbellsville victory, 93-87.
By the end of the game, the Tigers finished with 30-of-69 from the field (43.5%) and the Eagles finished with 26-of-69 from the field (37.7%). Campbellsville hit 75% of its 36 free throws and its bench put up 35 points, spearheaded by
Noah Gordon with his 18. Vick led the Tigers with 23 points and five assists, and Milburn with nine rebounds.
The Tigers will be back in action Saturday, November 4th, hosting the Indiana Southeast University Grenadiers for the second day of the Campbellsville University Classic. That game begins at 4 p.m. ET.
