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Cumberland University

Riggs Abner
69
Oakwood (AL) OAKWOOD 0-1
88
Winner Cumberland (TN) CU 1-0
Oakwood (AL) OAKWOOD
0-1
69
Final
88
Cumberland (TN) CU
1-0
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Oakwood (AL) OAKWOOD 34 35 69
Cumberland (TN) CU 55 33 88

Next Game:

Faulkner University (Ala.)

10/29/2025 | 7:00 PM

Next Game

Full Schedule
Oct. 29 (Wed) / 7:00 PM
 Faulkner University (Ala.)
History

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Big First Half Powers Phoenix to Season Opening Victory

LEBANON, Tenn.--Cumberland men's basketball opened its 2025-26 season in style Thursday night, rolling past Oakwood (Ala.) 88-69 inside the Dallas Floyd Phoenix Arena. The Phoenix delivered an offensive showcase in the first half, racking up 55 points and never looking back to earn their first win of the year.

The Phoenix shot 46.7 percent from the field (35-of-75) and hit eight three-pointers while going 10-of-12 from the free throw line (83.3%). Cumberland dominated the glass with a 54-35 rebounding margin, including 11 offensive boards that led to 10 second-chance points. The team tallied 16 assists, 48 points in the paint, and 30 points off the bench while forcing 11 turnovers from Oakwood.

Jake Hatch led the way with 19 points, connecting on 7-of-14 shots including five from beyond the arc. Triston Conger filled the stat sheet with 14 points, six rebounds, six assists, and two steals, while Riggs Abner notched a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Nick Brunetti added 13 points and a block, and Zaylin Rowland contributed nine points, seven rebounds, and five assists. Michael Nwoye scored six points with six boards, and Cooper Abner added four points and seven rebounds off the bench.

Oakwood finished 25-of-68 from the field (36.8%) and struggled from deep, shooting just 2-of-17 (11.8%) from three-point range. The Ambassadors made 17-of-25 free throws (68.0%) and grabbed 35 rebounds but were hampered by 11 turnovers and just four assists. Oakwood scored 36 points in the paint and 23 off the bench but couldn't keep pace with Cumberland's efficiency and balance.

Jordan Bell paced Oakwood with 21 points, seven rebounds, and four steals on 9-of-18 shooting. Joshua Barnett added 13 points, three boards, and two assists, while Damon Fann hit two three-pointers en route to 12 points. Jordan Hill chipped in 10 points and four rebounds, and Chase Jackson finished with six points and three boards. Tahj Evans tallied five points, six rebounds, and two steals for the Ambassadors.

After a slow start that saw Oakwood grab an early 9-4 lead, the Phoenix quickly settled in and erupted offensively. Hatch drained a trio of early threes, and Conger's drives through the lane sparked a 17-4 run to give Cumberland control midway through the half. The Phoenix continued to push the tempo, moving the ball fluidly and scoring at will inside. Rowland orchestrated the offense with four assists in the period as CU's depth overwhelmed the Ambassadors. A late three from Hatch and back-to-back baskets by Brunetti helped Cumberland close the half on a surge, leading 55-34 at the break.

Cumberland maintained a steady lead throughout the second half, keeping Oakwood at arm's length. Abner controlled the boards, and the Phoenix continued to share the ball effectively, with eight different players scoring after halftime. Hatch hit two more from beyond the arc, and Brunetti and Conger continued to attack the rim as CU cruised to the 88-69 victory in front of an energetic home crowd.

Cumberland started slow, falling behind 9-4 in the opening minutes before finding its rhythm behind the hot shooting of Jake Hatch and steady play from Triston Conger. Hatch knocked down three triples in the half to spark the Phoenix offense, while Conger orchestrated from the point with four assists and eight points before the break. The Phoenix bench added a major spark as well, combining for 22 points in the first 20 minutes. Riggs Abner and Zaylin Rowland dominated the glass, helping CU to a 26-17 rebounding advantage that fueled transition opportunities.

As the half went on, Cumberland's offensive pace and ball movement proved too much for Oakwood to handle. The Phoenix used a 17-4 run midway through the half to pull away, capped by consecutive threes from Hatch and Nick Brunetti. The Phoenix scored 30 points in the paint before halftime and closed the period on a flurry, entering the locker room up 55-34.

Cumberland never allowed Oakwood to mount a serious comeback in the second half, maintaining control behind disciplined defense and consistent rebounding. Abner continued to own the boards, while Conger and Brunetti provided steady offense to keep the margin safe. Hatch hit two more three-pointers out of the break, and Rowland added key baskets as the Phoenix kept the lead near 20 throughout.

The win moves Cumberland to 1-0 on the season as they prepare for a home matchup against Faulkner on Monday, October 29, at 7:00 p.m. in the Dallas Floyd Phoenix Arena.

 
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Players Mentioned

Cooper Abner

#11 Cooper Abner

F
6' 9"
Sophomore
Riggs Abner

#3 Riggs Abner

G
6' 6"
Graduate Student
Nick Brunetti

#77 Nick Brunetti

G
6' 4"
Sophomore
Triston Conger

#1 Triston Conger

G
6' 2"
Redshirt Junior
Jake Hatch

#4 Jake Hatch

F
6' 10"
Redshirt Sophomore
Michael Nwoye

#7 Michael Nwoye

F
6' 7"
Freshman
Zaylin Rowland

#42 Zaylin Rowland

G
6' 2"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Cooper Abner

#11 Cooper Abner

6' 9"
Sophomore
F
Riggs Abner

#3 Riggs Abner

6' 6"
Graduate Student
G
Nick Brunetti

#77 Nick Brunetti

6' 4"
Sophomore
G
Triston Conger

#1 Triston Conger

6' 2"
Redshirt Junior
G
Jake Hatch

#4 Jake Hatch

6' 10"
Redshirt Sophomore
F
Michael Nwoye

#7 Michael Nwoye

6' 7"
Freshman
F
Zaylin Rowland

#42 Zaylin Rowland

6' 2"
Freshman
G