CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – The Campbellsville University men's basketball team faced a daunting task on Saturday afternoon, hosting the NAIA's second-ranked team, the Freed-Hardeman University Lions. Despite an energetic start and a team-high 14 points from
Marcellus Vail, the Tigers were unable to stifle the Lions' perimeter attack, falling 80-48 inside the Powell Athletic Center.
- Marcellus Vail provided a spark off the bench, leading the Tigers with 14 points on 5-of-14 shooting while adding a steal and a block.
- Dalton Kramer joined Vail in double figures, tallying 13 points and pulling down five rebounds in 36 minutes of action.
- Ra Briggs led the team on the glass, grabbing a team-high six rebounds (all defensive) to go along with eight points.
- The Tigers struggled to find their rhythm offensively, shooting 34.0% from the field and committing 23 turnovers, which the Lions converted into 21 points.
- Freed-Hardeman's offense was efficient, shooting 50.8% from the floor and a blistering 54.2% (13-of-24) from three-point range.
- With the loss, Campbellsville moves to 14-5 on the season and 0-3 in Mid-South Conference play.
- Campbellsville will look to snap its losing skid and secure its first conference win when they return to action next week away against the Cumberland Phoenix on Thursday, January 22nd at 8:30 p.m. ET.
The Tigers opened the game with high intensity, looking to upset the undefeated-in-conference Lions.
Dalton Kramer ignited the crowd early, draining a three-pointer on the opening possession and following up with another triple minutes later to give Campbellsville an early 6-2 lead.
However, the Lions (19-1, 4-0 MSC) responded with a perimeter barrage. After the game was tied 9-9 following a Phil Horton free throw, Freed-Hardeman went on a 10-0 run, fueled by a three-pointer from Blake Dean, to take a 19-9 advantage. The Tigers endured a scoring drought of nearly four minutes until Vail connected on a pair of free throws to cut the deficit to 19-11.
Campbellsville attempted to claw back before the break.
Ra Briggs connected from deep, and Vail hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer to close the half, but the Tigers still trailed 35-24 heading into the locker room.
The second half proved difficult for the hosts as the Lions found their stroke from long range. Freed-Hardeman opened the period with a three-pointer from Caleb Thomas and never looked back. The Lions shot an impressive 64.3% from the field in the second half, extending their lead to as many as 35 points.
While the Tigers continued to battle, with Kramer converting a layup and Vail hitting jumpers in the midrange, the deficit proved too large to overcome.
Eli Brooks contributed five points and three rebounds, and Tyshay Epps added a three-pointer in the second half, but the Lions' balanced attack—featuring four players in double figures—secured the 80-48 victory for the visitors.
