LEBANON, Tenn - - The Phoenix opened their season on the road, dropping their first game to an inspired Bryan College, 103-93. Cumberland led at the break but the Lions had an offensive explosion in the second half, pulling away from the Phoenix.

Demarius Boyd, 33, and Doyel Cockrill III, 21, led the way for the Phoenix, scoring a combined 54 points, while also dishing out a pair of assists each. Cumberland fell behind on the glass early, seeing Jamari Bostic of the Lions go on a rampage grabbing 16 rebounds, with the next closest player being another Lion with 9.

Cumberland shot nearly 60% from the field, as well as nearly 50% from three point line, but lacked the edge at the free throw line, being outscored 26 to 11. Several Phoenix made an impact coming off the bench, as Kamarie Coffey, Jaheim berry, and Kailon Benton-Hamilton all added in at least one three pointer. 

Starting off strong, Demarius Boyd curled around a Matthew Stokes screen and converted a layup to score the Phoenix's first points of the season and began a 15 to 0 run to start the first half.

Showing their defensive prowess early, the Phoenix did not allow a single point from the Lions until more than six minutes had passed in the first half. 

Leading up to that point Cumberland forced five turnovers and recorded four steals.

Two Cumberland guards battled for possession of the scoring lead, with Boyd scoring eight early points before freshman Doyel Cockrill III took over scoring duties.

Cockrill was efficient in his effort, hitting four of his five attempts, including a strong showing from beyond the arc, completing three of four.

It took the Lions more than ten minutes to hit the double digit mark while the Phoenix did not concede the double digit lead they grabbed early in the half, leading 50-37 at the break.

Bryan came out of the break looking like a different team, going on a 28-8 run through the first first six minutes after the break. Forcing a timeout, the Lions had their largest lead of the game with 13:57 left to play.

The Phoenix defense still held strong on the box score, keeping the Lions under 50% from the field; though they surrendered nearly 13 free throws through ten minutes of play, with Bryan not missing a single chance.

Trailing by as much as 12, Jaheim Berry provided a spark off the bench which the Phoenix desperately needed in the second half. His first triple brought the deficit back to single digits and he followed that effort up with another triple to bring Cumberland within three.

Continuing to punish the Phoenix from the line, Dalen Grimes was just 4-16 from the field but converted all 10 of his free throws.

Both teams traded shots down the stretch, but the Lions were too hot in the second half, scoring a massive 66 points.

Cumberland will have more than a week off before getting back on the court in Pulaski, Tennessee to face off against the University of Tennessee Southern. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 PM, November 3rd.