Williamsburg, KY – The 17^th ranked Patriots utilized a strong finish to rally back and take down Campbellsville University at home on Saturday afternoon. After trailing by seven with eight minutes left, UC went on a 26-11 run to take the win 86-78, moving to 17-5 overall and 6-1 in the Mid-South Conference. The Pats attacked the rim all game and earned the most free throws of the season. Cumberlands struggled from the charity stripe, shooting just 63.8% (30-47), but still made the most FT's in a game this season.
 
Matthew Cromer led the Patriots in scoring with 20 pts, 7 reb, 2 stl while Anthony Johnson finished with 19 pts, 4 ast, 3 reb, 2 stl, and 2 blks. Johnson did not struggle from the foul line, going 12-13 on the day. DJ Jones added 12 points off the bench as well as four assists and three rebounds. Anthony Harris rounded out the Pats in double figures with 11 points and seven boards.
 
Harris started the game red hot, scoring UC's first three buckets. A Cromer and-one extended the lead to three before three-straight Johnson free throws stretched their advantage to six. Two more layups from Cromer and a huge three from Brady Bell made it 19-8 in favor of UC, followed by another and-one, this time from Johnson, making it 22-8 with 12:21 remaining.
 
A Tajahri Cave lay in and two more FT's out of Johnson kept UC up double-digits before another Harris jumper gave UC a 17-point lead, their largest of the day. The Tigers fought back to within eight, but Cromer's first three of the night put UC back up 11 with just over four to play. CU closed the half on an 8-2 run, with UC's only points coming from Cromer at the foul line, making it 38-33 at the half.
 
Harry Morrice opened the second half with a triple before Jones recorded his first two points of the game from the foul line. The Tigers answered back with five points of their own before Morrice nailed his second-straight three to push their lead to eight. Another CU run saw the Tigers come to within one before three straight points from Jonaitis held the Patriot lead. Campbellsville continued to fight, taking their first lead of the half behind nine unanswered points. Free throws from Harris and Johnson cut their deficit to four, before a Tiger three pushed CU's lead back to seven. Johnson came right back with a three of his own before the Tigers hit another shot behind the arch to keep a 67-60 lead with 8:16 to play.
 
The final eight minutes were all Cumberlands, as they outscored their opponents 26-11. Jones began the run with a nice finish in the lane before six UC FT's brought them within one of CU. Two more tough buckets at the rim from Jones gave UC their first lead in almost ten minutes, followed by a Johnson layup that brought the score to 74-72. Three more Patriot free throws and layups from Morrice and Jones extended the lead to seven with two minutes to play. Cromer continued the run with an offensive rebound that he put back up for his 19^th point of the game. The Tigers gave one last effort pulling to within five, but three more makes from the charity stripe from Jones and Cromer iced the game, with UC on top 86-78.
 
The Patriots move to 17-5 overall, and 6-1 in MSC play to sit atop of the Mid-South Conference standings. Cumberlands now look ahead to next Thursday where they will travel north to Georgetown College to take on the #1 Tigers. Tip-off is set for 7:30 PM ET in Georgetown, KY.
 
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