Campbellsville, KY  – The University of the Cumberlands men's basketball team shot a season-best 53.3% from the field and converted 56.5% from long range to defeat Philander Smith 82-55 Friday afternoon at the Campbellsville Classic.  The Patriots had five players net double-figures as UC improves to 6-2 on the season, while the Panthers fall to 3-6.

Ethan Snapp recorded a career-high 25 points, knocking down a perfect 6-6 from three-point range and converted 7-7 from the charity stripe.  Jordan Griggs netted a season-high 16 points, while Caleb Taylor tallied his third double-double of the season with 10 points and 12 rebounds. 

The Panthers scored the first four points of the game, however, Cumberlands responded with consecutive three's from Tevin Olison and Griggs to put the Patriots in front 6-4.  The two teams traded baskets over the next three minutes before Snapp converted three straight free throws to put UC in front 14-11 with 12:41 remaining in the first half.  That sparked a 15-2 Patriot run, over a four-minute span, to put them in front 29-14.  Over the next few minutes Snapp hit three from beyond-the-arc to extend the Patriots lead to 42-22 with 2:04 remaining.  The teams traded baskets twice before Griggs converted a fast-break dunk followed by a Chance Edwards three to extend Cumberlands lead to 51-25 at halftime.

Philander Smith opened the second half on a 9-2 run to cut the lead to 53-34, three minutes in.  Cumberlands responded with Hinson draining a three, before Caleb Taylor converting an old-fashion three-point play extended the lead to 59-34.  The Panthers went on a 13-6 run to cut the lead to 65-47, however that was the closest they came as Taylor and Snapp combined four the next four points pushing the lead to 22 with 7:02 remaining.  Snapp and Griggs netted Cumberlands next eight points to extend the lead to 79-54, before Hunter Bode and Nnamdi van Dulm notched UC's final three points for the 82-55 final. 

The Patriots will return to action Saturday, November 30, for day two of the Campbellsville Classic.  UC will face Oakland City at 2 p.m. with live stats available here.

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