Bowling Green, KY ­– Returning to the court after a two week hiatus, the 25^th-ranked UC men's basketball team fell to fifth-seed Martin Methodist 72-54 Sunday afternoon at Bowling Green High School.  With the win, the RedHawks improve to 16-8 on the season, while the Patriots move to 17-9.

Josh Williams led the way for the Patriots with a team-high 18 points, and nine rebounds.  Tevin Olison added 16 points and six rebounds, while Austin Hall chipped in 10 points in the game. 

Cumberlands struggled offensively as Martin Methodist opened the game on a 6-0 over the first three minutes of action.  Olison and Williams combined for UC's first nine points of the game, before Williams completed a three-point play to put the Patriots in front 12-11 with 12:29 remaining.  Hall added a three-point play a couple minutes later to give UC a 17-14 lead midway through the first half.  Two minutes later, Olison pulled up from deep and drained a three, while Jahi Hinson sank a free throw to give the Patriots their largest lead of the game at 21-14 with 7:56 left in the first half.  The RedHawks responded with a 12-2 run before Olison hit another three to even the score at 26-26 with 3:01 remaining.  Martin  Methodist closed out the half on a 6-0 run to take a 32-26 lead into the break.

The RedHawks carried that momentum into the second half opening with an 8-2 run, before Williams hit a jumper to cut the deficit to 40-30 three minutes in.  Hinson and Olison both converted on baskets before another 6-0 by Martin Methodist extended their lead to 49-34 with 13:10 remaining.  Williams netted Cumberlands next seven points, however the Patriots trailed by 17 midway through the second half.  UC struggled shooting converting on six free throws but went almost five minutes without a field goal until Olison lay-up at the 5:23 mark cut the deficit to 66-49.  The two teams played even over the last five minutes for the 72-54 final.

The Patriots will now wait to see the NAIA Tournament seeding announcement which will be made on Thursday, March 4 at 8 PM.

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