Williamsburg, KY – With consistent scoring and a strong defensive presence throughout both halves the (RV) UC Patriots men's basketball team pulled out a huge win as they defeated the Life 69-53 on Saturday afternoon at Randy Vernon Court. With this win, Cumberlands improves to 14-5 overall and 8-5 in conference play, while Life moves to 6-5 overall and 2-5 in conference play.

With his first double-double of the season and third straight game with more than 20 points, Tevin Olison led all UC scorers with 27 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists. Olison continues to torch the Running Eagles notching 67 points in two games this season.  Jahi Hinson netted 15 points, six rebounds, and one steal, while Josh Williams contributed 11 points, four rebounds, and three assists.

To start the game, the Patriots came out strong going on a 7-2 run with a contested three from Hinson with 16:51 remaining in the first half. However, the Running Eagles would go on to make a 6-1 run of their own to tie the score up at 8-8 two minutes later. After a Life turnover, Collin Kelley finessed his way through the defense to find Olison for a wide-open three that extended the UC lead to 16-10 with just 11:04 left in the first half. Olison continued his scoring frenzy with a quick transition bucket that stretched the Patriot lead to 24-17 with 6:25 remaining. Following a Running Eagles foul, Williams was able to down a free throw that widened the UC lead to 33-27 with only 1:33 remaining.  To close the half out, Cumberlands established their largest lead of the game with a three-ball by Austin Hall that made the score 36-27 going into halftime.

UC opened the second half in a huge way with a back door cut by Hinson that opened him up for a dunk to give the Patriots an 11-point lead at 38-27. That play by Hinson seemed to awaken Cumberlands offense because from then on, they made a 13-7 run with a bank shot by Lamar Harris that enlarged the UC lead to 51-34 with 15:38 remaining. Over the next several minutes, the Running Eagles made a comeback with a 13-1 run until Olison killed it with a made free throw to maintain Cumberlands lead at 53-47 with 6:44 left in the ball game. The Patriots went on to get a series of good looks on offense highlighted by another deep three from Olison that grew the UC lead to 63-49 with 3:22 remaining. Williams would go on to score the last bucket in the game with a hard take to the rack the put the Patriots up and secured the win with the final score being 69-53.

UC was very active on the defensive side of the floor for this game as they tallied six steals and six blocks.

Cumberlands will look to continue the win-streak when they take the court on Thursday, January 28 against #17 Georgetown College. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. with live video is available here, while live stats are available here.

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