WILLIAMSBURG, KY – The No. 6 Patriots men's basketball team put together a complete performance on Monday evening, defeating Campbellsville University (Ky.) 84-61 inside the O. Wayne Rollins Center, making up their recently postponed matchup from two weekends ago. Cumberlands controlled the game from the opening minutes, building a double-digit halftime lead and never allowing the Tigers to get closer than eight in the second half as UC improved to 19-4 overall and 4-3 in Mid-South Conference play.
Javecckio Thomas led all scorers with a season-high 26 points on 8-of-17 shooting while adding nine rebounds, three assists, and a block.
Kyle Duke followed with 20 points and nine rebounds, and
Brant Smithers added 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting, including three triples.
Anthony Harris chipped in eight points off the bench,
Kyler McLendon scored five,
Tanner Walton added four, and
Malachi Robinson finished with six as seven Patriots found the scoring column.
Cumberlands set the tone early, jumping out to a 9-0 lead as Duke scored inside, Thomas converted at the free-throw line, and Smithers knocked down a three from the wing. The Patriots continued to build separation midway through the first half, pushing the lead to double digits behind back-to-back baskets from Thomas and a fast-break dunk by Robinson. With just under seven minutes remaining in the half, Duke buried a three to make it a 19-point advantage, and UC closed the opening period strong to take a 40-24 lead into the locker room.
The Patriots maintained control throughout the second half. Campbellsville made a brief push early, trimming the margin to 46-34, but Cumberlands answered immediately with baskets from Thomas and Smithers to restore a double-digit lead. Midway through the half, McLendon and Harris provided energy off the bench, and a Smithers three pushed the advantage back to 20. UC continued to attack the paint and limit second chances as the lead grew to as many as 25 in the closing minutes before closing out the 84-61 victory.
Cumberlands shot 56.7 percent from the field and held Campbellsville to just 34.0 percent shooting on the night. The Patriots also dominated the glass 36-26, scored 46 points in the paint, and turned 12 turnovers into 17 points in the win.
Cumberlands (19-4, 4-3 MSC) will return to action on Thursday, February 5, when they travel to Lindsey Wilson University (Ky.) for an 8:30 PM ET Mid-South Conference matchup.
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