Marietta, GA – Tevin Olison netted a career-high 36 points, including 11-18 from the field, to lead the 13^th-ranked UC men's basketball team an 87-81 win over Life Thursday night at the Eagles Nest.  With the win the Patriots extend their win streak to 11 straight while improving to 18-4 overall and 8-1 in conference play.

Olison converted 10-13 from the charity stripe to go along with four rebounds and two assists.  Steven Fitzgerald shot 75% from the field to finish with 14 points, while Jordan Griggs netted 11 points.  Caleb Taylor grabbed a team-high 13 rebounds to tally at least ten rebounds in a game for the 15^th time this season.

Life opened the game with seven unanswered points, before Olison netted Cumberlands first eight points of the game cutting the deficit to 10-8, four minutes in.  A Griggs three on UC's next possession gave Cumberlands its first lead of the game. The game saw four ties and three lead changes over the next four minutes as three straight three's from Fitzgerald and Olison put the Patriots in front 33-24.  Life closed out the half on an 18-8 run to take a 42-41 lead into the break.

The Running Eagles converted their first three from long range to start the second, however, UC responded with an Ethan Snapp three to cut the deficit to 51-46.  The Patriots went on an 8-2 run, over a four minute span, to take a 54-53 lead with 14:16 remaining.  The two teams traded baskets until Life went on a 9-2 run to take a 66-60 lead with 8:31 left.  Cumberlands was still trailing by six points with five minutes remaining when Fitzgerald converted a three-point play to spark a 16-2 run, which was capped off by a pair of Snapp free throws to put the Patriots in front 86-78 with 41 seconds remaining.  Olison converted a free throw in the final minute for the 87-81 final.

The Patriots will return to action Saturday, February 28, when they return home to face Cumberland as part of Hall of Fame weekend on Randy Vernon Court. Tip off is slated for 4 p.m. with live stats will be available here and live video available here.

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