Bowling Green, KY – Caleb Taylor recorded 20 points, including the game-wining three point play to lead the 14^th-ranked UC men's basketball team to 76-73 overtime win over seventh-seed Pikeville in the quarterfinals of the MSC Tournament Saturday night at Bowling Green High School. With the win the Patriots improve to 24-7 overall and advance to the semifinals of the MSC tournament.

In addition to his team-high 20 points, Taylor grabbed 15 rebounds for his 17^th double-double of the season.  Tevin Olison and Jahi Hinson both added 14 points, while Olison chipped in eight rebounds and three assists.  Steven Fitzgerald notched 10 points and seven rebounds in the win.

The two teams traded baskets to start the game before consecutive field goals from Taylor sparked a 6-0 run to give UC a 10-4 lead four minutes into the first half.  The Patriots got three-pointers from Jordan Girggs and Jahi Hinson to extend their lead to 20-10 with 10:38 remaining.  Pikeville cut the lead to five points twice over a three minute span, however, Cumberlands got baskets from Fitzgerald, Bri'an Brown, and Ethan Snapp to take 34-26 lead into halftime.

Griggs and Fitzgerald combined for the Patriots first four points of the second half.  Upike utilized an 8-2 run to cut the score to 40-36 with 13 minutes remaining, before Olison connected with Taylor in the paint for a lay-up.  The two teams traded baskets over the next four minutes until a Xavier Gaona three tied the game at 46-46 at the 8:54 mark.  Two minutes later, Pikeville had a 51-48 lead before Olison notched four straight points to put Cumberlands back in front with 5:18 left.  After two lead changes and a pair of ties, Olison and Taylor combined for four straight points to put UC ahead 61-57 with 47 seconds remaining.  Pikeville hit a pair of three pointers, including one from DeAndre Barton with four seconds remaining in regulation to force overtime.

In overtime, the Bears jumped out to a 67-65 lead before Olison converted a three-point play to put UC in front 68-67 with 3:14 left.  From that point Taylor took over for the Patriots scoring Cumberlands next seven points, including the three-point play with 23 seconds left to put UC ahead 75-73.  Hinson added a free throw for the 76-73 final.

The Patriots will return to action Sunday, March 5, when they face third-seed Thomas More in the semifinals of the MSC tournament.  Tip off is slated for 8:30 p.m. with live stats available here.

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