Williamsburg, KY  – Caleb Taylor and Tevin Olison combined for 45 points and 29 rebounds to lead the 16^th-ranked University of the Cumberlands men's basketball team to a 74-67 win over Simmons Saturday afternoon on Randy Vernon Court at the O. Wayne Rollins Center.  With the win the Patriots improve to 5-2 on the season, while the Falcons fall to 2-7.

Cumberlands led the game wire-to-wire with Olison and Taylor getting things start netting UC's first ten points to give the Patriots an early 7-0 lead. Simmons responded with an 11-5 run, however, Olison drained back-to-back three's to extend UC's lead to 22-13.  The Patriots extend their lead to 13 points midway through the first half, before Simmons scored eight straight to cut the lead to 26-21 with 7:04 remaining.  The Falcons cut the lead to two points, however, Cumberlands stormed back with buckets from Steven Fitzgerald, Jahi Hinson, and Jordan Griggs to push the lead to 37-29 with 1:46 remaining. The Falcons added a pair of baskets to cut UC's lead to 37-33 at the break.

Jordan Griggs opened the second half by hitting from long ranging combined with Nnamdi van Dulm converting a pair of free throws gave UC a 41-35 lead four minutes in.  The two teams traded buckets of the next four minutes until Olison hit a three, which was followed by a Fitzgerald bucket to push the lead to 51-41 with 11:09 remaining.  Olison and Taylor combined for Cumberlands next ten points giving the Patriots a 61-44 lead, their largest of the game with 7:30 remaining. Cumberlands lead remained at 17 until the 5:53 mark when Simmons went on a 10-1 run to cut the lead to 68-60 with 2:22 remaining.  Griggs converted a pair of free throws, while Taylor added two more field goals as the Patriots pulled away for the 74-67 win.

This game marks Taylor's second double-double of the season as he recorded one against Fisk earlier this year.  Taylor finished with 25 points and 18 rebounds, while Olison added 20 points and 11 rebounds.  Griggs chipped in 14 points including converting 7-8 from the charity stripe.

The Patriots will return to action Friday, November 29, when they travel to Campbellsville, KY to take part in the Campbellsville Classic.  UC will face Philander Smith on Friday at 4 p.m. before playing Oakland City on Saturday at 2 p.m.

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