WILLIAMSBURG, KY – Cumberlands closed out the regular season in impressive fashion Saturday afternoon, defeating Lindsey Wilson 96-75 on Senior Day inside the O. Wayne Rollins Center. Cumberlands used a dominant first half and efficient second-half shooting to improve to 22-6 overall and 7-5 in Mid-South Conference play.
 
Senior guards Kyle Duke and Andrew McConnell, along with fellow seniors Brady Bell and Anthony Harris, were honored prior to tip-off and helped lead the way in the victory. Duke finished with 15 points and five assists, McConnell added 14 points on four three-pointers, and Harris contributed 14 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double, his first of the season. Bell added four points and four rebounds as the Patriots celebrated their senior class with a strong performance.
 
Javecckio Thomas paced the Patriots with 15 points, including two three-pointers, while adding six rebounds and a block. Brant Smithers added 12 points off the bench, and Kyler McLendon and Tanner Walton chipped in six points apiece. Malachi Robinson scored four, Ikemba Otuonye added four, and Abraham Ibezimakor finished with two as 11 Patriots found the scoring column.
 
The Patriots found their rhythm midway through the first half after Lindsey Wilson built an early 15-6 lead. Cumberlands responded with a 10-0 run sparked by baskets from Robinson and Thomas before a McConnell three tied the game at 22.
 
From there, the Patriots took control. Duke knocked down a jumper to give UC the lead, and McConnell followed with a fast-break layup to push the margin to 33-25. Late free throws from Smithers and Otuonye, along with a Thomas three in the final two minutes of the half, helped Cumberlands carry a 42-28 advantage into halftime.
 
UC continued to press the advantage in the second half. McConnell opened the period with a three to stretch the lead to 45-30, and Thomas followed with another triple to make it 48-36. Duke then caught fire from beyond the arc, hitting consecutive threes to push the margin to 74-54 with just under nine minutes remaining. Harris added a dunk in transition, and Smithers knocked down a jumper to extend the lead to 82-62 midway through the half.
 
Cumberlands maintained control down the stretch, holding a double-digit lead throughout the final minutes before Ibezimakor capped the scoring with a layup in the closing seconds to seal the 96-75 victory.
 
The Patriots shot 49.3 percent from the field and 40.5 percent from three while outrebounding Lindsey Wilson 42-29. Cumberlands also scored 23 second-chance points and forced 16 turnovers in a balanced team effort. Five different Pats finished in double-figures, the most of any game this season.
 
Cumberlands (22-6, 7-5 MSC) now turns its attention to the Mid-South Conference Tournament next week as they await the announcement of the bracket.
 
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