Williamsburg, KY – The 16^th-ranked UC Men's Basketball team got their 2018-2019 season underway on Thursday night as they hosted NAIA Division II (RV) Milligan College. Both teams would struggle a bit from the field, but it was Cumberlands who utilized a great run that ended the first half and carried over to the start of the second that helped push them to a 63-58 win in the season opener. It is the sixth straight home opener that UC has won.
 
The Patriots and Buffaloes traded baskets throughout the first eight minutes of the game as the game was tied 9-9 at the first media timeout. Continuing to trade buckets and possessions, Milligan would finally get a four point lead at 19-15 with just under five minutes left in the first half. There, UC would go on a 14-1 run to close out the half up nine with the score 29-20. The Patriots would shoot just 25% from the field in the first half, but 0-7 from beyond the arc.
 
The second half began much like the first half ended. The Patriots began on an 8-3 run to jump out to a 37-23 lead three minutes in. The Buffaloes responded with an 8-2 run of their own over the next three minutes to cut their deficit to 39-31 with 14 minutes left in the game as they called a timeout. Milligan would continue their run, pushing it to 16-6 over a seven minute span as the Patriots held a 43-39 lead midway through the half.
 
Cumberlands would begin to bounce back over the next five minutes of play. A pair of threes from Jahi Hinson would spark a 10-4 spurt for UC to extend the lead back to ten at 53-43 with five minutes left. The Buffaloes would make a push late, but free throws for the Patriots would come up big late as the Patriots held on for a 63-58 win over Milligan in the home opener.
 
Four Patriots would end the night in double digits led by Hinson with 16 points, three rebounds, and a pair of assists. Anthony Eaves added 15 points with six rebounds, four steals, two blocks, and an assist. Bri'an Brown tallied a double-double in his first contest as a Patriot, marking 10 points and 10 rebounds in the game. Jordan Griggs chipped in 10 points and eight boards.
 
UC ended the game shooting 38.2% from the field and 6-26 from three point range for just over 23%. Milligan was led by Aaron Levarity with a double-double of his own, tallying 18 points and 13 rebounds on the night. The Buffaloes shot 33.3% from the floor but went 0-10 from beyond the arc on the night.
 
UC returns to the floor in the O. Wayne Rollins Center on Tuesday, October 30^th as they host the Grenadiers of Indiana University-Southeast. Last season, UC won the only meeting between the two in October by a score of 77-70. Tip-off is slated for 6 pm. You can catch all the action on the UC Sports Network by clicking here.
 
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