LEBANON, Tenn.--It wasn’t the prettiest, but Ty’Reek Johnson and TJ Stargell score 21 and 17 to help push Cumberland to victory over Bryan College, 70-64. 

Cumberland (2-0) struggled on the glass in the first half, allowing Bryan to take a 33-31 lead into the break, but came out with more energy defensively forcing the Lions to 23 turnovers in the game that lead to 16 second chance points and a win. Cumberland scored 32 points tonight in the paint. CU ended with 15 offensive rebounds, two more than they posted on the defensive end. 

The Phoenix had big outings from Johnson and Stargell to lead the charge. Johnson had a game-high 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting, knocking down three triples with five rebounds and two assists. Stargell posted 17 on 6-of-10 shooting with five boards, three assists, and three steals. Jordan Stephens added 14 points on 6-of-15 shooting with four rebounds and four steals. 

Nassir Coleman chipped in nine points and five rebounds and Tyler Byrd added six points. Jaylen Negron was the only player off the bench to score for the Phoenix adding three points. 

Bryan (0-3) shot great from the field shooting 50% hitting contested shot after contested shot to stay in the game. Gene Holmes, the point guard for Bryan, kept Bryan in the game with 17 points on 8-of-12 shooting. Trey Morrow scored 13 on three triples and Caleb Grimes scored 10 off the bench. 

The Lions jumped out and scored the first five points of the game before the Phoenix went on a 6-0 run led by Stephens with two back-to-back fastbreak buckets. Stragell and Stephens combined for the first 11 points of the game for Cumberland as Stargell chipped in a fastbreak two and a three to bring it to an 11-11 tie with 14:07 left. 

Cumberland and Bryan would trade two point baskets all the way to 23-23 before a three by Trey Morrow for the Lions broke up the string of duos with 4:26 left in the half. The Lions would extend that lead to six their largest lead at 31-25 with 2:43 to play. 

Cumberland would go on a 6-0 run to tie the game at 31-31 as Negron hit one-of-two free throws, Coleman threw down a fastbreak slam and Johnson buried a three-pointer. Holmes hit a two for Bryan after getting his own rebound on a three for the final bucket of the half and a 33-31 advantage. 

Cumberland got hot out of the break as Johnson hit a three to tie it at 35-35. A couple possessions later he would put Cumberland up by three with a triple and then Stephens would follow with one of his own for a 43-37 lead with 15:08 left. 

The Lions would stay in the game and tie at 46-46 with a three from Lebanon local Noah Mulaski. Tied at 51-51, Coleman would spark a 5-0 run on a transition slam and then after a steal from Johnson Coleman would complete a three point play at the line. The Phoenix would ride that momentum to extend the lead out to 63-53. 

Leading by six with 30 seconds on the clock, Bryan would get a steal on an inbound and then drain a quick three to make it a one possession game, but Stargell would hit two huge free throws to seal the win. 

Cumberland will be on the road tomorrow for an exhibition contest at Union University in Jackson. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. central time.