Williamsburg, KY – In a game that saw 18 lead changes and 12 ties, the 24^th-ranked UC men's basketball team never trailed in overtime and defeated Cumberland 78-73 Saturday afternoon at the O. Wayne Rollins Center.  With the win the Patriots improve to 20-7 overall and 7-5 in conference play, while the Phoenix move to 11-15 overall and 4-8 against the MSC.

Both teams came out firing as they traded baskets twice, before Malik Colvin-Seldon and Bernard Samuel drained back-to-back buckets to take a 9-5 lead four minutes in.  After a timeout, Cumberland went on a 5-0 run to take an 10-9 lead, which was short-lived as Taylor Gover knocked in a pair of free throws to put UC back in front with 13:48 remaining.  The lead changed seven times of the next eight minutes until an Eric Duncan field goal evened the score at 23-23.  Chance Morton hit a pair of free-throws, while Kaashif English grabbed an offensive rebound and put it home to give the Patriots a 27-23 edge with 3:34 remaining.  The Phoenix used a 7-2 run to end the first half and take a 30-29 lead into halftime.  

Morton connected Colvin-Seldon twice to start the second half and give the Patriots a 33-32 lead. Both teams continued their strong offensive performances as the game was knotted up at 37-37, 41-41, and 43-43, before Morton and English each drained a field goal to put Cumberlands ahead 47-43 with 12:16 remaining.  A Duncan three-point play pushed the lead to seven points at 52-45 midway through the half.  UC was able to extend the lead to eight points, the final time came at the 4:58 mark as a Will Gary drive to the Patriots ahead 60-52.   The Phoenix went on an 11-4 run, before Morton connected on a pair of free throws with 17 seconds remaining to give UC a 66-63 advantage. On the ensuing possession Diondrey Holt Jr. found Rhyan Townes for a game-tying three pointer.  UC had a chance to win it at the buzzer but Morton couldn't connect sending the game into extra time.

Cumberlands jumped out to a five point lead in overtime as Morton netted four points and Duncan hit from behind-the-arc to make it a 73-68 lead for UC.  Cumberlands went 5-6 from the charity stripe in the final minute for the 78-73 final.

Leading the way for the Patriots was Morton, who netted 16 points and 11 rebounds for his third straight double-double.  Duncan posted a career-high 22 points, including four three pointers.  Samuel chipped in 11 points and four rebounds, while Gary made three steals.  

The Patriots return to the court Thursday, February 22, when they host Shawnee State.  Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. and live video is available here, while live stats are available here. 

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