The University of the Cumberlands enjoyed a successful Mid-South Conference home opener Thursday night, as both the No. 14 women’s basketball team and the No. 8 men’s basketball team secured conference victories over Cumberland University. The women earned a hard-fought 67-59 win, while the men followed with a commanding 93-75 victory, marking the first MSC win of the season for each program.

Women’s Basketball

No. 14 Cumberlands 67, (RV) Cumberland (TN) 59

The No. 14 Cumberlands women’s basketball team opened its MSC home slate with a poised and disciplined 67-59 victory over receiving-votes Cumberland University, using balanced scoring, timely three-point shooting, and stifling defense to control the contest on Randy Vernon Court.

Cumberlands placed four players in double figures and held the Phoenix to 29.7 percent shooting, limiting clean looks throughout the night while responding to every scoring run with composure.

Key Contributors

  • Lakin Burke: 17 points, 7 rebounds
  • Peyton Mounce: 13 points, 3 three-pointers
  • Jaydyn Carrico: 11 points
  • Joy Kendrick: 10 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals

Game Flow and Analysis

Cumberland struck first, jumping out to an early 4-0 lead, but Cumberlands responded behind Jaydyn Carrico’s penetration and interior finishes from Zaram Fredricks. Peyton Mounce tied the game late in the first quarter with a three-pointer, though the Phoenix held a slim 21-19 advantage after one.

The second quarter proved pivotal. Amy Thompson opened the period with a jumper before Burke found Mounce for a three that gave UC its first lead. Noel Smith added a key boost by knocking down her first collegiate three-pointer, and Cumberlands closed the half on a 5-0 run, capped by a buzzer-beating three from Mounce, to take a 36-29 lead into halftime.

Defenses tightened in the third quarter as Cumberland trimmed the deficit to three. Cumberlands responded with execution inside, highlighted by an Aden Clark layup and a Burke putback. A Carrico three and a Fredricks offensive rebound at the buzzer pushed the lead to 52-45 entering the fourth.

Joy Kendrick took control early in the final quarter, scoring five of UC’s first six points before converting a three-point play following a Clark steal to extend the lead to 61-49. The Patriots closed the game at the free-throw line, going 6-of-8 down the stretch to secure the 67-59 victory.

Team Metrics

  • Field Goal Defense: 29.7%
  • Bench Points: UC 24
  • Second-Chance Points: UC 16
  • Points off Turnovers: UC 15

Patriots Nation PLayer of the Game

Lakin Burke

Men’s Basketball

No. 8 Cumberlands 93, Cumberland (TN) 75

The No. 8 Cumberlands men’s basketball team capped the sweep with a convincing 93-75 victory, using elite perimeter shooting, rebounding dominance, and defensive pressure to earn its first Mid-South Conference win of the season inside the O. Wayne Rollins Center.

Cumberlands built a double-digit halftime lead and never relinquished control, finishing with 15 three-pointers, a 45-34 rebounding advantage, and a season-best 13 steals.

Key Contributors

  • Brant Smithers: 24 points, 7 three-pointers
  • Kyle Duke: 23 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists
  • Malachi Robinson: Career-high 13 points, 8 rebounds (7 offensive)
  • Andrew McConnell: 12 points, 4 assists

Game Flow and Analysis

Cumberlands opened the game with energy, as Andrew McConnell scored on the opening possession and Malachi Robinson followed with a fast-break dunk. After a brief Phoenix surge, UC regained momentum behind Kyle Duke and Brady Bell.

The turning point came midway through the first half when Brant Smithers entered off the bench and drained three triples in four minutes, pushing UC ahead 23-18. Duke and Robinson continued to attack, and the Patriots closed the half with a barrage of three-pointers. Duke capped the run with a fast-break triple, sending Cumberlands into halftime with a 54-39 lead.

The Patriots wasted no time after the break, opening the second half with a Robinson layup and a Bell three to stretch the margin to 59-39. Smithers stayed hot, Duke attacked off the bounce, and Robinson finished strong at the rim as UC pushed the lead past 20.

Cumberland made a brief late push, but Cumberlands answered with timely three-point shooting. Smithers knocked down two more triples, and Abraham Ibezimakor sealed the win with a highlight dunk in the final minute as the Patriots closed out the 93-75 victory.

Team Metrics

  • Three-Pointers: 15 (season high)
  • Rebounding Margin: +11
  • Assists: 20
  • Bench Points: 35
  • Turnovers Forced: 17

Patriots Nation PLayer of the Game

Kyle Duke

Up Next

  • Women’s Basketball: Hosts (RV) Georgetown College on Thursday, January 22 at 5:30 p.m.
  • Men’s Basketball: Hosts No. 18 Georgetown College on Saturday, January 18 at 3:00 p.m.

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