WILLIAMSBURG, KY – The number four seeded Patriots advanced to the Second Round of the NAIA National Championship Thursday afternoon, defeating #13 Indiana Tech 99-86 inside the O. Wayne Rollins Center. Cumberlands led by four at halftime and exploded for 56 second-half points to secure the victory and improve to 24-7 on the season.
 
Andrew McConnell led the Patriots with 21 points on 7-of-13 shooting, including four three-pointers. Tanner Walton delivered a career performance off the bench with 19 points while going a perfect 6-for-6 from the field and 5-for-5 from three, both career highs. Javecckio Thomas added 17 points and nine rebounds, while Kyle Duke finished with 16 points and three assists. Anthony Harris contributed 10 points, Malachi Robinson had six points, Brant Smithers added four, Brady Bell scored three, and Kyler McLendon finished with three as nine Patriots reached the scoring column.
 
Cumberlands opened the game with Kyle Duke knocking down a three for the first points of the afternoon before Brady Bell followed with another triple to give UC a 6-2 lead. Indiana Tech answered to briefly take the lead at 10-6, but Javecckio Thomas responded with a fast-break dunk to cut the deficit to two. Moments later Anthony Harris finished inside to tie the game at 10. Tanner Walton then provided a spark off the bench, knocking down back-to-back threes to push Cumberlands ahead 18-15 midway through the half.
 
The Warriors answered with a run to move back in front, but the Patriots responded behind baskets from Andrew McConnell and Thomas to regain the lead. McConnell later connected from three to put UC ahead 27-25, and a Walton three tied the game again at 35-35 with just over four minutes remaining. Cumberlands then closed the half with strong interior play, as Thomas scored inside and McConnell added another basket before Duke finished in the final seconds to give the Patriots a 43-39 lead at halftime.
 
Indiana Tech came out of halftime aggressive and briefly moved in front early in the period. Cumberlands answered behind baskets from Duke and McConnell, while Walton continued his hot shooting from deep to keep the Patriots within striking distance. The Warriors eventually tied the game at 77-77 with just over six minutes remaining, setting up a decisive stretch.
 
From there, the Patriots seized control. McConnell knocked down a three to break the tie, and Walton followed with another triple to extend the advantage. Duke then scored inside before Thomas added a basket in the paint as Cumberlands rattled off a 13-0 run to push the lead to 90-77 with under three minutes remaining. The Warriors were unable to recover from the surge as the Patriots closed out the 99-86 victory.
 
Cumberlands shot 48.5 percent from the field and connected on 16-of-35 three-point attempts while holding a 37-35 edge on the glass. The Patriots also scored 18 fast-break points and got 36 points from the bench in the win.
 
Cumberlands will now move on to the NAIA National Championship Second Round to take on the winner of #5 Wiliam Carey and #12 Xavier (LA). Tip-off is set for 4 PM ET tomorrow in Williamsburg.
 
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