GEORGETOWN, KY – The No. 6 Patriots men's basketball team dropped a 73-61 decision at No. 18 Georgetown College on Saturday afternoon inside Davis-Reid Alumni Gym. Cumberlands struggled to find offensive rhythm in the opening half and was unable to overcome the early deficit, falling to 19-5 overall and 4-5 in Mid-South Conference play.
 
Kyle Duke led the Patriots with 24 points, going 8-of-18 from the field and a perfect 6-of-6 at the free-throw line while adding three rebounds and three assists. Tanner Walton provided a spark off the bench with 10 points on a perfect 4-of-4 shooting night, while Javecckio Thomas finished with seven points and seven rebounds. Malachi Robinson added six points, Brant Smithers chipped in four, Brady Bell scored three, Andrew McConnell added three, Anthony Harris finished with two, and Jalan Johnson recorded two as nine Patriots reached the scoring column.
 
Cumberlands opened the game with an early basket from Robinson to take a brief lead, but Georgetown answered quickly and began to build momentum. The Patriots had difficulty connecting from the perimeter early, going just 1-of-13 from three in the first half. Despite strong defensive efforts from Thomas and Robinson, Georgetown steadily extended the lead, pushing the margin to double digits late in the half. Duke scored inside in the final minute, but UC went into the locker room trailing 37-25.
 
The Patriots showed more aggression coming out of halftime. Duke knocked down a three early in the second half, and Brady Bell followed with a triple to cut the deficit to six. Cumberlands continued to battle, trimming the margin to single digits multiple times behind baskets from Duke and Walton, including a Walton layup midway through the half that made it a two-possession game.
 
Georgetown answered each push, however, using timely shooting and free throws to maintain separation. The Tigers pushed the lead back to double figures with under three minutes remaining, and despite late baskets from Duke and Johnson, the Patriots were unable to close the gap as Georgetown secured the 73-61 win.
 
Cumberlands shot 37.1 percent from the field and 25.9 percent from three, while going 8-of-15 at the free-throw line. The Patriots) will look to bounce back Thursday, February 12, when they travel to Cumberland University (Tenn.) for an 8:30 PM conference matchup.
 
 
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