WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. – In a back-and-forth thriller at the Cumberlands Classic, the Campbellsville University Men's Basketball team improved to 4-0, executing flawlessly from the free-throw line down the stretch to secure an 81-75 win over Indiana University Southeast.
- Juniors Dalton Kramer and Eli Brooks combined for 43 points and went a flawless 17-for-17 from the free-throw line. Kramer posted 25 points, nine rebounds, and was 8-for-8 at the line; Brooks added 18 points, seven boards, and was 9-for-9 from the stripe.
- Campbellsville clinched the win at the charity stripe, shooting 86.7% (26-of-30). The key turning point came in the final 3:25, when they sank 12 of their last 13 free throws.
- The Tigers (4-0) stayed undefeated in a tight game with eight lead changes and five ties, winning despite being outscored 40-20 in the paint and 16-7 on points off turnovers.
- Campbellsville concludes its stint at the Cumberlands Classic on Friday, facing off against West Virginia University Institute of Technology at 3 p.m. ET.
The Tigers started fast, as TyShay Epps and Javaughn Smith drained three-pointers for an early 6-2 lead. However, the Grenadiers responded by pounding the ball inside to build a 17-13 advantage. Campbellsville then answered with a perimeter barrage, as Dalton Kramer and Eli Brooks hit back-to-back threes, sparking a 14-3 run that gave the Tigers their largest lead of the half, 27-20.
IUS refused to fade, closing the period on a 15-6 run and eventually taking a 35-33 lead on a layup. With the clock winding down, Taveon Smith hit a critical three-pointer with 11 seconds left to swing the lead back to the Tigers, giving them a slim 36-35 advantage at the break.
The second half became a game of runs. After IUS tied the game at 51-51 on a three-pointer, the Tigers responded immediately with a Jay Milburn three to make it 57-51. The Grenadiers battled back again, tying the game at 64-64 and then mounting a run to take their largest lead of the night, 71-66, with just 3:54 remaining.
Trailing by five, the Tigers rallied with clutch defense and a parade to the free-throw line. A Milburn jumper cut the deficit to 71-68. On the next possession, Kramer was fouled and sank both free throws to make it 71-70. After a key defensive stop, Brooks was fouled and calmly gave the Tigers the lead, 72-71, with 2:02 left.
With the pressure at its peak, the Tigers closed the door on IUS. Milburn, Kramer, and Smith combined for seven clutch free throws in the final minute, sealing Campbellsville's perfect start and capping a gritty 81-75 victory. The Tigers' late composure at the line served as the exclamation point, leaving no doubt about their resolve.
