Williamsburg, KY – Jahi Hinson netted a game-high 28 points to pace Cumberlands men's basketball team to a 79-70 win over Shawnee State Saturday afternoon on Randy Vernon Court.  The win wraps up the 2021 portion of the Patriots schedule as they move to 10-4 on the season and 4-2 in conference play.

Hinson had it going as he shot 9-15 from the field on his way to tying his second-highest scoring mark of the season that also including the Detroit, MI native going 9-13 from the charity stripe. Hinson added four rebounds, three assists, and two steals to his line as he had his handprints all over this one. Steven Fitzgerald was also a big factor as he finished with 19 points while adding five boards to his ledger.  Isaiah Payton chipped in 13 points, while J.J. Ramey added a career-high nine rebounds.

The game started out fairly even through the first several minutes of play as UC found themselves ahead only 10-7 through the first five minutes. An Austin Hall triple began to put some distance between the two teams, though, as his trey started a 20-8 run that lasted for seven and a half minutes. Hall turned into a facilitator after his deep ball as he lobbed one up for Hinson on the Patriots' next possession that he threw down to begin to give Cumberlands the momentum.  UC rode that momentum to a 7-11 shooting effort during the run with four of those makes coming from deep with Hall, Hinson, J.J. Ramey, and Isaiah Payton each converting on a three during that span with Payton's the last to fall, making it a 30-13 game with 7:06 remaining in the half. The Bears went on an 8-0 run to cut the lead to nine points, however, Fitzgerald scored the next four points of the contest quickly extending Cumberlands lead to 34-21 with 3:39 remaining.  Matt Cromer added a transition layup before Hinson converted a three-point play to give UC a 39-29 lead as they head into the locker room.

Cumberlands came out of the break strong as Lamar Harris put in a tip-in before Hinson sank a pull-up jumper to extended the lead to 43-29 just over a minute into the second half. Hinson accounted for seven straight Patriot points as UC maintained their lead at 50-37 with 13:27 left.  Fitzgerald added a layup before Shawnee State converted six straight free throws cutting the lead to 53-46 midway through the half.  Hinson added three more points for Cumberlands as Shawnee State netted six unanswered to make it 56-52 with 6:13 remaining in the second half.  The Patriots responded and quickly grew their lead back out, going on a 10-2 over the next two minutes and making it a 66-54 game. Isaiah Payton was an integral during that run as he had seven of UC's points, including five straight to start the run and extend the Patriots lead with 4:11 remaining.  Cumberlands was back in control and able to fend off a late Bears charge as they went 6-8 from the line down the stretch grabbing the 79-70 final.

With the win today, the Patriots improve to 10-2 all-time against SSU when at home.

The Patriots will take some time off for the holidays and resume play quickly in the new year as they prepare to take on the University of Pikeville on the road on January 3 with tip-off set for 8:00 PM.

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