McKenzie, TN – Anthony Johnson completed a three-point play with 13 seconds remaining as the #19 Patriots men's basketball team erased a 15-point deficit for the 78-77 win over Bethel Saturday afternoon.  With the win, Cumberlands clinches there second straight Mid-South Conference regular season title and there first outright championship since 2003.

Johnson led the way for the Pats with 27 points, including converting 14-15 from the charity stripe and eight rebounds.  Matthew Cromer added 14 points, while Harry Morrice grabbed a team-high 11 rebounds to go along with seven points. Brady Bell chipped in 12 points, 4-8 from behind-the-arc, in the win.

Bethel (16-11; 4-8) jumped out top a 9-4 lead before three straight points by Morrice cut the deficit to 9-7, four minutes into the first half.  A few minutes later Cromer connected with Johnson for a three-pointer, which sparked a 6-0 Patriots run as UC cut the deficit to 14-13 with 10:59 remaining.  After a Wildcats bucket, Johnson found Anthony Harris for a dun before Bell hit a three-pointer putting Cumberlands in front 20-16.  Harris drained a three-pointer to put Cumberlands in front by five points, which was their largest lead of the game before Bethel went on a 21-4 run to close out the first half and take a 39-27 lead into the break.

The Wildcats opened the second half with a 5-1 run to extend their lead to 44-29 with 16:28 remaining.  Cumberlands began to rally with back-to-back buckets from Harris and Tajahri Cave sparked an 11-2 Patriots run that was capped off with a Johnson three-point play cut the deficit to 46-40 with 13:31 remaining.  Bethel scored seven unanswered before a Bell three-pointer pulled the Patriots within 10 at 55-45 midway through the half. The two teams traded free throws until Johnson drained a three-pointer to cut the deficit to 61-54 with 8:38 remaining. 

The two teams continued to trade baskets until the 5:19 mark when the Patriots worked the ball around to Cromer, who sank back-to-back three pointers to pull UC within five at 69-64 with 5:12 remaining. Cromer cut the score to three points until the Wildcats went on 6-3 run pushing their lead to 75-69 with 2:43 left.  The Patriots defense kept up their intensity and contested shots, while Johnson and Bell each sank a three-pointer to cut it to 77-75 with a minute remaining.  Cumberlands defense forced an off-balanced shot as Bell grabbed the rebound with 55 seconds left.  On the Patriots final possession Johnson made a hard take and converted a three-point play putting Cumberlands in front 78-77 with 13 seconds remaining.  The Wildcats final shot was off the mark as the Patriots held on for the 78-77 final.

Cumberlands, who improves to 21-7 overall and 10-2 in conference play clinched the top-seed in the MSC Tournament.  After earning a bye into the semifinals, UC will face the winner of #4 Cumberland and #5 Bethel on Monday, March 3^rd at 6 p.m.

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