OAKLAND CITY, Ind. – The Campbellsville University men's basketball team concluded the Oakland City University Dunn Hospitality Group Classic on a high note Tuesday afternoon, relying on a dominant bench performance to defeat the Indiana University East Red Wolves, 80-59.
- Ra Briggs led the offensive charge off the bench with a game-high 19 points, shooting 7-of-11 from the floor and grabbing eight rebounds.
- Three Tigers reached double figures, with Marcellus Vail (14 points) and Taveon Smith (12 points) joining Briggs to help the Campbellsville bench outscore IU East's reserves 53-30.
- Dalton Kramer was a force on the glass, pulling down a game-high 12 rebounds—including four on the offensive end—while adding three assists.
- The Tigers dominated the statistical battle, surpassing the Red Wolves in rebounds (49-33), assists (19-10), and points in the paint (40-14).
- Lewis Richards facilitated the offense, dishing out a team-high five assists and swiping two steals.
- The victory extends Campbellsville's unbeaten streak against IU East to three consecutive wins.
- The Tigers will return to action in the new year, hosting the Alice Lloyd College Eagles on Friday, January 2nd, beginning at 3 p.m. ET.
Jay Milburn opened the scoring for Campbellsville, finding the bottom of the net early to set the tone. While the Red Wolves retaliated from the free-throw line to stay close, the Tigers never trailed. Campbellsville's bench was the key to seizing momentum, with Ra Briggs and Marcellus Vail entering the game to score timely baskets, fueling a run that extended the advantage to double digits.
Halfway through the first half, IU East attempted to cut the deficit with perimeter shooting, but the Tigers sustained a sound defense and ended the Red Wolves' possessions after a single shot opportunity. Eli Brooks added energy in the paint, and the relentless scoring of Vail (who finished 6-of-11 from the floor) continued to fuel the Tigers' offense. Campbellsville took a 41-31 lead into the halftime break.
In the early minutes of the second half, IU East brought intensity, trading buckets with Brooks and TyShay Epps. However, Campbellsville's defense stood firm in response. Dalton Kramer clamped down on the boards, securing rebound after rebound to limit the Red Wolves to one shot.
The Tigers maintained their lead, but the Red Wolves continued to fight, using jumpers to try to chip away at the deficit. Briggs proved to be the silencer for Campbellsville, attacking the rim for relentless layups that were too strong to deter.
Taveon Smith delivered the final blow, entering the game to convert key free throws and drain a late three-pointer. His efforts pushed the Tigers' advantage to 21 points, the largest lead of the game, sealing the 80-59 victory.
