Williamsburg, KY – The (RV) Patriots men's baketball team had three players in double figures however it wasn't enough as they fell to Bethel 83-79 Saturday afternoon on Randy Vernon Court. Cumberlands moves to 11-6 on the year and 5-6 in conference play.
 
Three Patriots finished in double digits led by Jahi Hinson who netted 19 points, 3 reb, and 3 stl. Steven Fitzgerald was the second leading scorer with 15 points, adding 6 boards and 3 assists as well. Andre Silva put together season best performances on both sides of the ball with 11 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 blocks.
 
Both teams went back and forth over the opening six minutes of play as the game was tied 12-12 with 13:52 on the clock. This stretch saw buckets from Fitzgerald and Matt Cromer along with a three out of Isaiah Payton and a fade away jumper out of Austin Hall. A Silva layup put UC up two before the Wildcats scored four straight to take a two point lead.
 
Back-to-back Fitzgerald buckets accompanied by a Bethel lay in evened things up at 18 all with 9:08 to play. BU outscored UC 11-10 over the next five minutes to take a one point lead. Cumberlands responded well, going on a 17-8 run to round out the first half. Hinson scored seven points to lead the run followed by Jadrian Flores who earned four of his own. Another Silva lay in, a Brady Bell triple, and a free throw from Cromer gave UC the 45-37 lead at the break.
 
UC came out strong in the second half with a shot from Hinson and Fitzgerald's lone three of the day, giving the Pats their largest lead of the game. Bethel slowly chipped away scoring 11 points and only allowing two over the next four minutes of play to make it a four point game. Payton responded with a three followed by a pull up jumper from Bell and a strong finish through contact from Lamar Harris Jr. to increase the lead back to 12.
 
The Wildcats got a lay in the next possession, before a made free throw from Harris and another Bell bucket brought the score to 63-50 with 13:15 left in regulation. A 21-8 Bethel run evened the game at 71-71 with just over four minutes to play. Cromer regained the lead with a jumper in the lane before three straight BU free throws gave them a one point advantage. Flores made another nice move for two, followed by a made free throw out of Silva to put UC up 76-74. The Wildcats hit a layup the next possession followed by a free throw to put them back on top with 42 seconds left. UC was forced to foul sending Bethel to the charity stripe where they went 4-4. A late Hinson and-one was not enough as Bethel took the game 83-79.
 
The Patriots will travel north for another tough road test next Thursday as they take on Shawnee State University in Portsmouth, OH. Game time is set for 7:30 PM ET.
 
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