OAKLAND CITY, Ind. -- Cumberland Men's Basketball couldn't bounce back from a slow start against the Titans.
Cumberland shot 41% from the field, 31% from three, and 50% from the free throw line. Cumberland was able to block seven shots, with four coming from Jake Hatch, two from Nick Brunetti, and one from Triston Conger. The Phoenix also had the slight edge in assists (13-12), as well as steals (11-9).
Conger led the way for the Phoenix filling up the stat sheet with 15 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists.
Matthew Stokes would be able to find tough baskets to get ten points, as well as six rebounds.
The Titans were able to shoot 42% from the field, 21% from three, and 66% from the free throw line. IU South Bend were able to control the glass, out-rebounding the Phoenix 45-39 and 16-12 on the offensive glass. The Titans dominated the points in the paint (52-40), and bench points (40-30).
The Phoenix started off the game slow, allowing an early 8-0 run by the Titans, but were able to cut the lead to three before the first media timeout.
After the media timeout, the Phoenix were able to claim their first lead of the game after a Cooper Abner layup.
However, IU South Bend were able to regain the lead and increase it to seven before the final media timeout.
To end the half, the Titans were able to extend the lead into double digits and go into the locker rooms up 43-31.
To begin the half, both teams were not able to find the bottom of the net, as the Phoenix were able to cut the lead to seven with their zone defense. The Titans were ice cold from the three point line to start the half, as they missed five three point shots before the first media timeout.
After the lead was cut to seven, the Titans were able to grow the lead back to double digits, and this was where it would stay until the last couple of minutes, where the Phoenix would cut it to nine.
The Phoenix would lose 82-68 to the Titans, and fall to 8-6 on the season.
The Phoenix are back in action tomorrow as they are staying in Oakland City to face IU Kokomo at 3:00 PM.
