CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - The Tigers hosted the Cumberland University Phoenix on Saturday. After regaining the lead in the last minute of the game, Campbellsville took the victory, 75-73.
Today's CU match-up came to a slow start, with the first points of the game coming from early fouls from both teams, leading the Tigers and the Phoenix to the free-throw line in the first two minutes of the first half. Cumberland took the lead with a jumper, but Darius Harding was quick to retaliate for Campbellsville with a three-pointer. Chandler Clements landed a layup that got the Tigers to double digits on the scoreboard, leaving the Phoenix trailing with no further baskets on their end since the opening minutes of the half. Cumberland only reached double digits halfway through the half, by which point Campbellsville doubled them on the scoreboard. With a seven-point run, the Phoenix decreased the Tigers' advantage and came within two points of the lead. Cumberland boosted their offense and stole the lead with a layup in the last minute of the first half. Campbellsville trailed the Phoenix 37-32 at the end of the first half.
Despite trailing Cumberland, the Tigers surpassed the Phoenix in multiple aspects of the game. Most significantly going 46.2% from the field and 50% from the three-point line, compared to their 36.1% and 37.5%, respectively.
Cumberland opened the second half, increasing their advantage and racking up jumpers in their favor. Jay Milburn came into the second half with avid three-point buckets, decreasing Campbellsville's deficit and bringing them closer to the lead. Both teams' defensive rebounds kept the tension on the court high, preventing each other from scoring and maneuvering the ball up and down the court over control of the game. Clements and Harding collected a few more points for the Tigers from the free-throw line, coming within five points from the lead. Cobe Penny's fifth assist of the contest aided Milburn in landing another layup for the Tigers, continuing to decrease their deficit in the late stages of the second half. With one minute left in the game, Clements' 12th rebound resulted in another layup by Milburn, earning the upper hand on the game. With less than 10 seconds left in the game, the Phoenix went to the charity stripe, attempting to tie the score and regain the lead, but missing both free-throws, the Tigers remained in the lead. After trailing the Phoenix for nearly 60% of the contest, Campbellsville won the game, 75-73.
Campbellsville's most prominent strength throughout the game was their well-rounded lineup, with 16 bench points to Cumberland's six, and their short-range shots, with 34 points in the paint to their 20. Three Tigers reached double digits during today's game: Clements with 17 points, and Harding and Milburn with 16.
The Tigers will be back in action, hosting the University of the Cumberlands Patriots on Thursday, February 8th, starting at 7:30 p.m. ET.
