WILLIAMSBURG, Ky – The Patriots men's basketball team tipped off their 2025-26 campaign in winning fashion Friday night, defeating Simmons College (KY) 83-62 inside Randy Vernon Court. The victory marks the 12th consecutive season-opening win for the Patriots, as four players scored in double figures to start the year strong.
 
UC was led by Kyle Duke, who poured in 22 points on 9-of-14 shooting, while Abraham Ibezimakor posted a dominant double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds. Brady Bell and Brant Smithers each knocked down three triples for 11 points apiece, and Andrew McConnell filled the stat sheet with five points, six assists, and three rebounds. Anthony Harris added six points and a steal off the bench, while Tanner Walton and Malachi Robinson chipped in four and three, respectively.
 
Simmons jumped ahead early, taking a 15-6 lead midway through the opening half before Cumberlands found its rhythm. Back-to-back threes from Smithers sparked the offense, followed by a fast-break dunk from Harris and a Walton layup to trim the deficit.
 
Ibezimakor grabbed one of his four offensive boards and finished with a dunk to make it 23-20, then added a layup on the next possession to bring UC within one. Moments later, McConnell buried a three to give the Patriots their first lead of the night. From there, UC took control behind strong play in the paint, closing the half on a 14-4 run highlighted by baskets from Duke and a highlight slam from Robinson to lead 40-31 at the break.
 
The Patriots carried that momentum into the second half as Bell opened the scoring with a three-pointer before Ibezimakor converted a three-point play. Duke took over from there, scoring 15 of his 22 points after halftime, including a trio of threes and several driving finishes.
 
Smithers and Bell each added buckets from long range, while McConnell and Ibezimakor connected on transition layups to stretch the lead past 20 midway through the half. Ikemba Otuonye added three points off the bench, and Julian Miles hit a late triple before Jalan Johnson sealed the night with two free throws in the final seconds as Cumberlands secured the 83-62 victory.
 
UC struggled from the charity stripe, going just 6-18 (33.3%) in the season opener; however, they dominated the glass, outrebounding the Falcons 40-33 with 13 offensive boards. The Patriots' defense also held Simmons to 38.5% shooting from the field and just 26 points in the paint.
 
Cumberlands (1-0) will return to action on Tuesday, October 28, as they host Union Commonwealth University (Ky.) at 7 PM inside the O. Wayne Rollins Center.
 
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