Williamsburg, KY – The (RV) UC men's basketball team had five players in double figures as the Patriots defeated #16 Martin Methodist 85-73 Thursday night at Randy Vernon Court.  The win is Cumberlands third win over a ranked opponent this season and helps the Pats improve to 13-5 overall and 7-5 in conference play.

Tevin Olison led the way for UC with 21 points and nine rebounds, while Jahi Hinson netted 14 points and seven rebounds.  Josh Williams and Collin Kelley chipped in 14 points apiece as Steven Fitzgerald scored 11 points in his first start of the season.  Lamar Harris grabbed a team-high ten boards to go along with seven points.

The Patriots came out strong getting four straight points from Fitzgerald as part of a 7-0 run to take a 7-2 advantage four minutes into the game.  The game was tied twice before UC went on a 10-3 run, that was capped off with a three from Olison to take a 19-12 lead with 7:53 remaining in the first half.  The senior from Memphis, TN add two more shots from deep and a lay-up to extend Cumberlands advantage to 27-17 just over a minute later.  The two teams continued to trade baskets over the final four minutes of the half until Olison grabbed an offensive rebound, off an Fitzgerald three-pointer attempt, and put it home to give Cumberlands a 36-27 lead at the break.

The RedHawks (10-4, 6-4 MSC) used a 7-0 run early into the second half to cut the lead to four, however Williams connected with Fitzgerald from deep to quick push the lead to 41-34 with 15:36 remaining.  The two teams continued to trade baskets over the next several minutes before Olison found Kelley in the corner for his second three-pointer of the game to give Cumberlands a 54-44 advantage midway through the half. Just over a minute later, Martin Methodist cut the lead to six point, but the Patriots continued to respond, this time Hinson sparking a 14-2 run netting nine points to put Cumberlands in front 70-52 with 4:17 remaining. Williams connected with Harris for two monstrous dunks as the Patriots went 8-10 from the charity stripe down the stretch for the 85-73 final.

Cumberlands out-rebounded Martin Methodist 42-30 in the game, including UC grabbing 13 offensive boards. 

The Patriots return to the court Saturday, January 23, when they host MSC foe Life. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. with live video is available here, while live stats are available here.

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