LEBANON, Tenn.--Cumberland men's basketball picked up its biggest win of the season on Tuesday night, taking down No. 20 Dalton State, 76-68, inside the Dallas Floyd Phoenix Arena. The Phoenix controlled the paint, defended with toughness, and delivered a composed second half to erase a narrow halftime deficit and outlast one of the NAIA's most efficient offensive units.
Cumberland shot 45.2% from the field while holding Dalton to 42.4%. The Phoenix dominated the interior with a 46-40 advantage in paint points, won the turnover battle 17-to-8 and converted those into 20 points. The Phoenix defended the paint strong with blocked eight shots while picking up 10 steals. CU's bench added 18 key points, and the Phoenix closed the night 18-of-25 at the free-throw line.
Triston Conger and Michael Nwoye powered the Phoenix with 16 points each, with Conger adding seven rebounds, six steals, and 10-of-11 free throws, while Nwoye turned in a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds with three blocks. Nick Brunetti matched their scoring punch with 16 points, four rebounds, and three assists, while Zaylin Rowland provided 11 points off the bench. Jake Hatch delivered a great all-around performance with eight points, eight rebounds, and four blocks.
Dalton State finished at 42.4% shooting and just 6-of-21 from three. The Roadrunners won the glass 42-to-34, but committed 17 turnovers and were limited to 29 second-half points. Dalton generated 40 points in the paint but struggled late as CU's defensive pressure tightened.
Qualen Pettus led the Roadrunners with 14 points on 6-of-15 shooting, while Miles Ceballos and Devin Geiger each added 14 points, with Geiger posting an 11-rebound double-double. Former Phoenix guard Santonio McDaniel scored seven points with six boards and three steals. Ja'Ron Briggs finished with 11 points, six rebounds, and three assists.
Both teams opened at a fast pace, trading baskets and momentum swings throughout a tightly fought first half. Cumberland built one of its best stretches of the night midway through, using an 11-4 run sparked by Brunetti and Nwoye to take a 26-18 lead after Brunetti drilled a transition three at the 7:56 mark. Dalton responded with perimeter shot-making from Pettus and Ceballos, and McDaniel tied the contest from the line as the Roadrunners used a 10-2 spurt to claw back. Cumberland held most of the lead in the first half, but after a late Dalton State push, the Phoenix entered the break trailing 39-38 despite shooting 45% and controlling the paint.
Dalton came out strong to open the second half, grabbing a 46-42 lead behind Geiger's interior scoring and second-chance buckets. But the game spun on a decisive sequence midway through the half. Dalton State was hit with a technical foul, and the momentum flipped instantly. Hatch knocked down the free throws and Cumberland went on a 10-2 run to take control of the game.
From there, the Phoenix controlled the final eight minutes with firm defensive pressure. Hatch swatted three shots in the half, Conger added four steals, and Nwoye overpowered Dalton inside. Brunetti's late bucket and Conger's free throws stretched the lead to double digits inside the final minute, sealing a statement win as CU closed the game out.
Cumberland has a long break as the Phoenix will wait until Saturday, December 13th to play again. CU will be on the road at Welch College to take on the Flames in a return match that evening.
