LEBANON, Tenn.--Cumberland defended home and honored former head coach Cliff Ellis with a 79-76 win to get back on track and snap a three-game losing skid.
Cumberland (6-14, 2-4 MSC) battled all night using a slew of players and rotations to do enough to get the close win. The Phoenix shot 42.2% from the field and knocked down eight triples. The Phoenix played tough defensively posting eight blocks and forced Bethel into 17 turnovers that translated to 15 points.
Keyshawn Robinson picked up the first double-double of the season for Cumberland with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Robinson went just 3-for-4 from the field, but went 10-for-11 at the line. He also had three steals to lead the team. Doyel Cockrill III finished with 17 points and four made threes while leading the team in assists with four. Demarius Boyd posted 18 points on 7-of-16 shooting.
Kamarie Coffey scored eight points with five rebounds and added three blocks. Triston Conger scored seven points, Jaheim Berry added five, and Beljwok Adiang and Braxton Caruthers each added four.
Bethel (12-10. 1-5 MSC) shot 42.0% from the field, but made just four three-pointers. The Wildcats controlled the boards with 10 more rebounds than Cumberland and scored 44 points in the paint. The Wildcats also shot 14-for-23 from the charity stripe.
The Wildcats scored first with a three to start fast paced action up and down the floor. Boyd knocked down a three from the corner to tie the game at 5-5 early. After a bucket from Bethel, Cumberland went on an 8-0 run to lead 13-7 with 14:35 left.
Bethel got a two to slow the run, but Coffey drilled a three after and then followed with a block that led to a fastbreak layup from Conger. Bethel got back into it with a 7-0 run to get down by two 18-16 at the under 12 media.
Out of the break, Cockrill laced a three to put Cumberland back up by five points before a 4-0 spurt from the Wildcats cut it to one-point at 21-20.
Still leading by one at 26-25 with seven minutes left, went on a 10-0 run over the next five minutes to make it a 35-25 game before going into the half with a 38-29 lead.
After a couple of empty possessions to start the second half, Cockrill hit his third three of the game to push it to a 12 point lead for Cumberland. The Phoenix held on to a double-figure lead until Bethel went on a 6-0 run to get within six at 43-37.
Cumberland would push it out and then Bethel would get some points back over the next five minutes of play to keep it a six-point game at the first media of the second half, 54-48.
Up 58-52, Qurreion Gadson converted an and-one, but Cumberland answered to get it back to a two possession game.Gadson later again converted a jjumper in the paint, coupled with a successful free throw, brought Bethel within striking distance at 58-61 with just over seven minutes on the clock.
As the clock continued to wind down, Demarius Boyd of Cumberland proved to be a pivotal force, sinking a crucial jumper that extended their lead to 66-63. Bethel countered with Gadson's resilience, connecting on a three-pointer assisted by Tyler Neely, leveling the score at 68-68.
The seesaw battle persisted, with Kamarie Coffey answering with a significant three-pointer, answered by Bethel's Jos Nazario, keeping the score at a tense 70-68.
In the final moments of the game, Cumberland's Doyel Cockrill and Keyshawn Robinson sealed the victory with crucial free throws, maintaining composure under pressure. Despite Bethel's valiant efforts, including a three-pointer from Tyler Neely, Cumberland emerged triumphant with a final score of 79-76.
Cumberland honored former head coach Cliff Ellis at halftime of the game. He was given to photos of his journey from stops here at Cumberland, South Alabama, Aubrun, Clemson, and at Coastal Carolina.
The Phoenix are on the road at Campbellsville on Saturday as the Phoenix take on the Tigers. Tip-off is slated for 20 minutes following the women's game at 2:00 p.m. central time and 3:00 p.m. local time in Campbellsville.
