LEBANON, Tenn.--Big second half pushes the Phoenix over Bethel in a much-needed win for Cumberland 70-59 at the Dallas Floyd Phoenix Arena on Saturday. 

Cumberland (7-5, 4-3 MSC) got off to a slow start, getting down by as much as 12 in the early going of this game, but the Phoenix strung together a run to end the half and make the deficit manageable before having a big second half and ultimately cruising to the win. 

Cumberland shot 45.6% from the field and hit 4-of-14 threes. The Phoenix controlled the glass outrebounding Bethel 37-27 and forced the Wildcats into 21 turnovers that translated into 27 points. 

Tajah Fraley had a career-high 18 points off the bench going 6-of-9 from the field. Jordan Stephens finished with 16 points and six boards. TJ Stargell posted 14 points and three assists and four steals to become the All-Time Steals Leader in school-history. 

Ty’Reek Johnson scored 10 points with eight rebounds. Julio Pascual scored seven in his first start with seven boards and Nassir Coleman added nine rebounds. 

Bethel (6-7, 3-4 MSC) lit the world on fire in the first half shooting 67.8% from the field, but the shots did not fall in the second half finishing at 53.3%. The Wildcats also converted four threes, but struggled from the free throw line only connecting on 7-of-20 free throws.

Three Wildcats posted double-figure points as Keyshawn Kennedy and Yassine Zlitini each scored 11 and Conner Guthrie scored 10 points, all in the first half. 

Tied at 6-6, Querrion Gadson scored four-straight points and Zlitini hit a two to push Bethel on 6-0 run. The Wildcats would push it out to an eight-point lead at 16-8 at the media timeout. 

Bethel continued to knock down shots as Cumberland chipped away at the lead. Trailing 26-21, Guthrie and Gadson combined for a 7-0 run to get out to their largest lead of the game at 12 leading 33-21 with 5:50 left in the half. 

Over the final five minutes, the Phoenix held Bethel to just five points and brought a manageable halftime deficit down just five, 38-33. 

Out of the break, Cumberland went on a 5-0 run to tie the game as Stephens made two baskets and Coleman hit a free throw. 

Tied at 40-40, the game really changes in the favor of Cumberland as Stephens hit a three and Coleman had a tip-in on a putback to spark a 14-1 run. 

The Phoenix used that momentum and pushed that out to a 20-point lead with four to play. 

Cumberland really started to chew the clock at that point and had tough looks as the shot clock wound down in the final four minutes closing the game with a point over four plus-minutes allowing Bethel to bring the score back to 70-59. 

Cumberland will have two big home games next week as the Phoenix takes on Georgetown and the Cumberlands here next Thursday and Saturday.