WILLIAMSBURG, KY – The No. 8 Patriots men's basketball team picked up its first Mid-South Conference victory of the season Thursday night, defeating Cumberland University (Tenn.) 93-75 inside the O. Wayne Rollins Center. Cumberlands built a double-digit lead by halftime and never looked back, improving to 16-3 overall and 1-2 in MSC play.
 
Brant Smithers led the Patriots with a game-high 24 points, knocking down seven three-pointers to provide a spark off the bench. Kyle Duke followed with 23 points on 8-of-18 shooting while adding five rebounds and three assists. Malachi Robinson posted a strong all-around effort with a career-hogh 13 points and eight rebounds, seven on the offensive glass, while Andrew McConnell added 12 points and four assists. Brady Bell chipped in seven points, Anthony Harris scored four, Abraham Ibezimakor added four, Kyler McLendon had three, and Javecckio Thomas finished with three as nine Patriots found the scoring column.
 
Cumberlands opened the game with energy, as Andrew McConnell scored inside on the first possession before Malachi Robinson threw down a fast-break dunk to give UC an early edge. After Cumberland U briefly took the lead, Duke and Bell answered with back-to-back baskets to regain control. Midway through the half, Smithers came off the bench and caught fire from beyond the arc, connecting on three triples in a four-minute span to push the Patriots in front 23-18. With just under seven minutes remaining, Duke knocked down a three from the wing to make it 26-19, and Robinson followed with a finish in the paint as UC continued to build separation.
The Patriots closed the opening half strong. McConnell knocked down a three and followed with another from the left wing to stretch the lead to double digits, while Smithers added another triple in the final minute. Duke capped the half with a fast-break three, helping Cumberlands take a 54-39 advantage into the locker room.
 
Cumberlands maintained its momentum after halftime, opening the second half with a Robinson layup and a Brady Bell three to quickly extend the lead to 59-39. Smithers stayed hot, hitting another three midway through the half, and Duke continued to attack the basket as the Patriots pushed the margin past 20. With just over eight minutes remaining, Robinson finished at the rim off a Duke assist to give UC its largest lead of the night.
 
The Phoenix made a brief push late in the game, but Cumberlands answered every run. Smithers hit two more threes down the stretch, and Ibezimakor provided a highlight dunk in the final minute to put an exclamation point on the win as the Patriots closed out the 93-75 victory.
 
Cumberlands shot 42.1 percent from the field and 34.9 percent from three, knocking down 15 triples, tying their season high. The Patriots held a 45-34 rebounding advantage, dished out 20 assists, and scored 35 bench points in a balanced team effort. UC's defense forced 17 turnovers and earned a season-best 13 steals as well.
 
Cumberlands (16-3, 1-2 MSC) will return to action Saturday, January 18, when they host #18 Georgetown College (Ky.) at 3 PM inside the O. Wayne Rollins Center.
 
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