Williamsburg, KY –#15 UC men's basketball erased a 13-point halftime deficit, however, it wasn't enough as the Patriots fell to Campbellsville 76-75 Tuesday night on Randy Vernon Court. With the win the Tigers improve to 4-3 overall and 2-2 in the MSC, while the Patriots move to 7-2 and 1-2 in conference play.  

Jahi Hinson led the way for the Patriots with 20 points and seven rebounds, while Tevin Olison tallied 14 points, four assists, and two steals.  Deng Mayot chipped in ten point and nine rebounds, as Ismiell Etienne recorded nine points and six boards.

Mayot and Williams combined for UC's first six points of the game to give Cumberlands a 6-4 lead three minutes in.  Campbellsville used a 12-4 run to take a 16-10 advantage, before Olison scored five straight points, including converting a three-point play to bring the Patriots within one. The Tigers went on runs of 9-1 and 11-2 to take a 36-22 lead with 3:44 remaining.  Cumberlands battled back with buckets from Austin Hall and Mayot, while Hinson hit UC's first three-pointer at the 1:38 mark to cut the deficit to 39-29.  Max Reyes hit a three-pointer as time expired in the half to give Campbellsville a 44-31 lead at the break.

The Tigers opened the second half with Brayden Sebastian making a three, before UC started to rally. Williams hit a bucket before Olison found Steven Fitzgerald for one of his two three's in the game.  The two teams traded baskets over the next five minutes until Hinson connected on back-to-back three pointers to bring UC within six at 54-48 with 11:54 left.  Two minutes later, Fitzgerald hits a pair from the free throw line to give the Patriots a 59-58 advantage, their first lead since the 17:22 mark in the first half.  The two teams traded baskets giving Campbellsville a 66-61 lead, but Cumberlands rallied as consecutive baskets from Etienne, Hinson, and Olison put UC in front 67-66 with 4:41 remaining. A three from Mayot extend the lead to 72-68 as Campbellsville went on a 6-0 run to take a 74-72 lead.  On the next Patriot possession, Mayot found Hinson behind-the-arc for his career-high fourth three-pointer to put UC in front. Sam Weining   converted a pair of free throws at the 1:17 mark to give the Tigers a point lead.  Cumberlands had multiple chances in the final seconds however couldn't convert fo r the 76-75 final.

The Patriots will return to the court Saturday, December 19, when they travel to Marietta, GA to face MSC foe Life.  Tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. with live stats available here and live video available here.

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