CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. — The Tigers hosted the Carolina University Bruins Friday night for their season's first game. The Tigers' defensive pressure and second-half hot shooting became too much for the Bruins, securing Campbellsville's season-opener win.

In the opening minutes of their season-opener, the Bruins struck first with a layup, and the Tigers immediately responded with a three-pointer from TyShay Epps. It briskly became a back-and-forth game as each team shared baskets. However, the Tigers began to rush shots, leading to a cold few minutes. Campbellsville's pressure rattled the Bruins, but the Tigers could not convert. The Bruins capsized on the Tigers' missed opportunities and jumped to a six-point lead with 6:30 remaining. In time, the Tigers found their offensive flow with James Jewell finishing at the rim and Noah Gordon earning a point at the charity stripe. The Tigers and Bruins shared three-pointers in the final minutes of the half. Jewell ended the Tigers' nine-point run to finish the half dominantly with a flush at the rim.

Beginning the second half, both teams struggled to create offense as they had missed opportunities at the rim. Eventually, the Bruins and Tigers added their first points of the half to the board. Gordon stepped up to the line and knocked down two free throws to give the Tigers their fifth lead of the game. After sharing points, Milburn knocked down back-to-back layups to secure a lead for the Tigers, and Campbellsville kept steady on the lead the rest of the way. Missed shots, forced turnovers, and a run from the Tigers bested the Bruins, resulting in a Tiger win, 78-64.

Campbellsville will be back on the court Friday, November 1st, to begin their campaign at the Lindsey Wilson Classic. The Tigers will take on Kentucky Christian University in Columbia, Kentucky. The game is set to begin at 6 p.m. ET.

• Milburn paced the Tigers in three categories and secured career high and double-double in two with 25 points and six blocks. Milburn also led Campbellsville in rebounds with 10. Marcellus Vail assisted the Tigers four times, and Dalton Kramer turned over the Bruins eight times.
• In the first half, the Tigers' field goal percentage and three-point percentage were 32.4 and 22.2, respectively, compared to 51.7 and 50, respectively, in the second half, which was the game-changer.
• Tonight's win marked head coach Brent Vernon's 141st win in his career at Campbellsville. During his time as a head coach, Vernon has gone 8-1 in season-openers. His last double-digit season-opening win was in the 2020-21 season, beating Kentucky Christian University 84-72.