Williamsburg, KY – The Patriots move to 14-1 on the year after a 22-point victory over the Royals of Johnson University on Thursday afternoon. UC was dominant on defense accumulating a season-high 14 steals and forcing 23 turnovers which led to 34 points.
 
Four Patriots ended the game scoring double figures led by J.J. Ramey who dropped 17 pts and 6 reb. Jonathan Brown added 13 while Robertas Jonaitis had a great performance with 12 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks, and 1 steal. Anthony Johnson rounded out the Pats in double-digits with 10 points and six boards. Tajahri Cave made his presence known off the bench for UC as he finished the day with a career-high seven steals, the most of any Patriot this season, and five assists.
 
Ramey started the contest with a three not even one minute into the game. The Royals hit their first two shots to take their first lead before Jonaitis scored his first bucket of the game to reclaim the lead. Cave pulled up for a jumper for another UC basket, giving them a 7-4 lead with 13:57 on the clock. Both teams traded baskets over the following six minutes as Johnson would regain the lead 18-17. The next trip down the court Jonaitis found Ramey for an alley-oop slam followed by a pull-up jumper from DJ Jones to give UC their lead back. Jonaitis added another dunk and tip-in on straight possessions to go up 25-20 with 7:30 to go in the period.
 
A Brown jumper and triple out of Johnson increased the lead to ten, their largest of the game up to this point. UC outscored the JU 8-7 over the final three minutes of the half to take a 38-27 lead into the locker room. Cave gave UC momentum into the break, earning his third steal that led to a made layup just before the halftime buzzer.
 
 
Cumberlands kept their lead around 11 for the opening three minutes of the second half before a pair of made free throws from Cromer and Jones plus a Ramey jumper put UC ahead 50-33. JU rattled off five in a row prior to another Jonaitis finish in the paint that halted the run. Brady Bell scored his first points of the day from the charity stripe before Johnson and Ramey had back-to-back slams, both off a TJ Cave's steal. Bell was fouled on a three the next trip down the court and hit all three FT's to lift their lead over 20.
 
The Royals did not give up, scoring six points in two minutes to make it 61-46 with 10:47 left. The Pats held their 15-point lead over the next five minutes until a pair of layups from Johnson and Bell and a free throw from Ramey pushed the lead to 20 with under three to play. Tanner Walton scored the last six points of the game for UC, knocking down a triple and an and-one to make the final score 86-64 UC.
 
The 14-1 Patriots will be back at home on Saturday where they will host Miami Hamilton in their final non-conference matchup of the season. Gametime is set for 3 PM ET. Live stats for the game are available here, with video here.
 
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