Williamsburg, KY – Five Patriots scored in double figures as UC overcame a six-point halftime deficit to defeat Bryan 86-84 Wednesday night at the O. Wayne Rollins Center.  With the win, Cumberlands improves to 4-0 on the season, while the Lions move to 2-3.

Anthony Johnson led the way for UC with 19 points and seven rebounds, while Brady Bell hit a trio of three-pointers and finished with 17 points.  Matthew Cromer and DJ Jones each tallied 16 points, while Harry Morrice recorded 10 points and six rebounds.  Jones dished out a team-high seven assists, as Robertas Jonaitis grabbed seven rebounds.

Cumberlands won the opening tip and on the ensuing possession Matthew Cromer grabbed an offensive rebound and putback to put UC in front 2-0. The two teams traded baskets until Cromer netted five straight points extending the Patriots lead to 9-5 with 15:10 remaining. Bryan went on an 8-1 run before Anthony Johnson drained a three-pointer to tie the game at 13-13 with 12:13 left in the first half.  The Lions went on an 8-3 run, that spanned five minutes, before Jones notched a layup to cut the deficit to 21-18.  Bryan took a ten point lead before Cumberlands went on a 10-3 run to pull within two in the closing seconds of the half.  The Lions converted a four-point play at the buzzer to take a 42-36 advantage at the break. 

The two teams traded baskets to open the second half before Brady Bell grabbed a defensive rebound and took it coast-to-coast cutting the deficit to 44-40.  Three minutes later, Jones found Bell on the wing for a three before Bell returned the favor to Jones putting Cumberlands in front 50-48 with 15:19 remaining.  After the game was tied three times, Bryan netted four unanswered points to take a 58-54 edge with 11:08 remaining.  Johnson drained three straight three-pointers to put Cumberlands in front 65-62 with nine minutes remaining. The two teams traded points until Cromer drained a three-pointer to give the Patriots a 70-69 advantage with 6:34 left.  The two teams trade baskets over the next four minutes before Johnson drove and made a layup pulling UC within a point at 77-76.  Bell drained back-to-back three-pointers to give him 17 points in the game and make it 82-80 in favor of UC with 1:36 remaining. After the game was tied at 82-82, Jones found Johnson cutting toward the rim for a three-point play making it 85-82 with 42 seconds remaining. Bryan pulled within a point and Cromer grabbed a rebound off a missed three from BC's Trey Morrow and sank one free throw for the 86-84 final.   

Cumberlands returns to the court on Saturday, November 9^th, when they host Union Commonwealth.  Tip off is set for 3 p.m.
 
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