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Cumberland University

Triston Conger
75
Winner Faulkner (AL) FAULKNER 3-0
71
Cumberland (TN) CU 1-1
Winner
Faulkner (AL) FAULKNER
3-0
75
Final
71
Cumberland (TN) CU
1-1
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Faulkner (AL) FAULKNER 32 43 75
Cumberland (TN) CU 35 36 71

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10/31/2025 | 6:00 PM

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Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Faulkner Fends Off Late Run to Down Phoenix, 75-71

LEBANON, Tenn.--Cumberland men's basketball dropped a hard-fought home opener Wednesday night, falling 75-71 to an undefeated Faulkner team inside the Dallas Floyd Phoenix Arena. Cumberland used an eight point run late to get it to one possession, but Faulkner fended off the run to get a tough win.

Cumberland shot 45.9 percent from the field, scoring 46 points in the paint and holding a narrow 37-35 rebounding edge. The Phoenix totaled 11 assists, nine steals, and three blocks but were hurt by 19 turnovers and a 4-for-19 mark from three-point range. 

Triston Conger paced the Phoenix with 20 points, four rebounds, and three assists. Michael Nwoye followed with 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting, adding three rebounds and two steals. Riggs Abner contributed eight points and eight boards, while Zaylin Rowland and Jaren Davis each scored eight and five, respectively, off the bench.

Faulkner shot 44.3 percent overall and connected on 11 threes, led by a monster performance from KJ Rogers, who poured in 31 points with eight rebounds and four assists. Gideon Harris added 11 points, and Jordyn Turner-Durley chipped in six. The Eagles turned 16 Phoenix turnovers into 16 points.

Cumberland started the night with good energy on both ends, feeding off the home crowd to build an early advantage. The Phoenix controlled much of the first half behind the inside presence of Nwoye and the scoring of Triston Conger. Nwoye converted on a series of strong takes to the rim while Conger attacked the basket and got to the free-throw line, scoring 10 points before the break. A late push by Faulkner closed the gap, but Cumberland took a slim 35-32 lead into the locker room.

Faulkner's offense came alive early in the second half, using an 11-2 run sparked by hot shooting from  Rogers to move in front by double digits. Cumberland refused to fold, responding with strong defensive pressure and timely baskets from Riggs Abner and Zaylin Rowland. 

Faulkner lead by 10 with 2:13 left in the game. Conger drilled a three and Nwoye followed with a dunk to get it to five. Davis had a put back to get it to a one possession game with 39 seconds. Cumberland got a defensive stop they needed as Nwoye forced a turnover to give CU a chance with 14 seconds left. Cumberland's three ball fell short, but Nwoye was there for the putback and was fouled going up with just 1.5 seconds left. 

Nwoye hit the first free throw and intentionally missed the second, but the try went out of bounds. The Phoenix sent Rogers to the line and he hit two free throws to seal it 75-71. 

Cumberland (1-1) will look to bounce back this weekend as CU travels to take on St. Ambrose on Friday and Calumet College of St. Joseph on Saturday. 
 
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Players Mentioned

Riggs Abner

#3 Riggs Abner

G
6' 6"
Graduate Student
Triston Conger

#1 Triston Conger

G
6' 2"
Redshirt Junior
Jaren Davis

#2 Jaren Davis

G
6' 3"
Freshman
Michael Nwoye

#7 Michael Nwoye

F
6' 7"
Freshman
Zaylin Rowland

#42 Zaylin Rowland

G
6' 2"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Riggs Abner

#3 Riggs Abner

6' 6"
Graduate Student
G
Triston Conger

#1 Triston Conger

6' 2"
Redshirt Junior
G
Jaren Davis

#2 Jaren Davis

6' 3"
Freshman
G
Michael Nwoye

#7 Michael Nwoye

6' 7"
Freshman
F
Zaylin Rowland

#42 Zaylin Rowland

6' 2"
Freshman
G