Bowling Green, KY – Tevin Olison and Caleb Taylor combined for 44 points and 14 rebounds, however, it wasn't enough as the second-seed UC men's basketball team fell to third-seed Thomas More 77-67 in the semifinals of the MSC Tournament Saturday night at Bowling Green High School. After the game the Patriots move to 24-8 on the season.

Olison led the way for UC with 26 points and six rebounds, while Taylor netted 18 points to go along with eight rebounds in the game.  Jahi Hinson chipped in eight points off the bench.

Olison got the scoring started with a bucket in the paint for UC, while Taylor added six straight points to give the Patriots an 8-7 lead four minutes in. The teams traded baskets until Olison added four points, while Jordan Griggs completed a put back to put Cumberlands in front 17-13 with 9:45 remaining. Thomas More hit a trio of three-pointers to take a 24-21 lead with 7:03 remaining. The Saints outscored Cumberlands 19-13 over the final six minutes to take a 43-34 lead into the break.

The Saints opened the second half on an 11-6 run to extend their lead to 14, 54-40 four minutes in.  UC rallied as Taylor and Jahi Hinson combined for the Patriots next eight points cutting the deficit to 57-51 midway through the half.  Thomas More went on a 9-2 run, before UC converted seven unanswered points, capped off by an Ethan Snapp three-pointer to cut it to 66-60 with 4:37 remaining.  That was the closest Cumberlands came as Thomas More pulled away for 77-67 final.

The Patriots will now wait until the announcement of the NAIA National Tournament qualifiers, which is set for 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11. The release should be made through the NAIA Facebook page.  

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