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Cumberland University

Kenny Ellis
64
Brescia (KY) BRESCIA 0-2
77
Winner Cumberland (TN) CU 1-2
Brescia (KY) BRESCIA
0-2
64
Final
77
Cumberland (TN) CU
1-2
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Brescia (KY) BRESCIA 33 31 64
Cumberland (TN) CU 34 43 77

Next Game:

University of Mobile (Ala.)

11/5/2026 | 7:00 PM

Next Game

Full Schedule
Nov. 05 (Thu) / 7:00 PM
 University of Mobile (Ala.)
History

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Second-Half Surge Lifts Cumberland Over Brescia

LEBANON, Tenn.--Five Phoenix scored in double figures as Cumberland overcame a nine-point first-half deficit and pulled away after halftime to defeat Brescia, 77-64, in its home opener Friday night at Dallas Floyd Phoenix Arena.

Cumberland (1-2) shot 48.3 percent from the field, connecting on 29-of-60 attempts, while finishing 3-for-15 from three-point range and 16-of-21 at the free-throw line. The Phoenix controlled the interior with a 52-26 advantage in points in the paint and received 24 points from their bench. CU collected 12 steals and nine blocks while matching Brescia with 42 rebounds.

Malik Currie led Cumberland with 16 points on 7-of-9 shooting, adding nine rebounds and five blocks. Arnez Anderson scored 12 of his 15 points after halftime and recorded four rebounds and three steals. Kenny Ellis posted a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, finishing two assists shy of a triple-double with eight while adding five steals. Jaren Davis and Nick Brunetti each scored 11 points, with Brunetti contributing five rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Bray Kirk provided nine points in eight minutes off the bench.

Brescia finished 22-of-69 from the floor for 31.9 percent, including 7-of-25 from beyond the arc, and converted 13-of-18 free throws. The Bearcats grabbed 17 offensive rebounds to generate 15 second-chance points and totaled 14 assists, six steals and six blocks. Brescia dropped to 0-2 with the loss.

Eugene Bryant paced the Bearcats with 17 points and eight rebounds, while Ajani Blyden registered a double-double with 16 points and 16 boards. Ty Price added 14 points, and Mercer Rogers handed out eight assists to go with five points.

Brescia gained the early advantage behind Bryant, who scored 11 of the Bearcats' first 16 points. A Blyden layup gave the visitors their largest lead at 18-9 with 11:12 remaining in the opening half.

Cumberland responded with a 15-2 run to turn the nine-point deficit into a 24-20 lead. Currie sparked the comeback with a layup and dunk, while Brunetti added a basket and two free throws. Kirk supplied the final five points of the run, tying the game at the foul line before consecutive layups put CU in front with 5:56 remaining.

Kirk added another layup and Davis followed with a basket to stretch the advantage to 28-22 at the 4:46 mark. Brescia answered with a 9-2 spurt, using three-pointers from Blyden and Nkel Stevens to reclaim a 31-30 lead. Davis and Ali Tore responded with consecutive layups, helping Cumberland take a 34-33 edge into halftime.

The Phoenix opened the second half with six unanswered points, getting a layup from Anderson and two baskets from Davis to extend the lead to 40-33. Brescia worked back within four at 44-40, but Cumberland delivered the decisive run with 12 straight points.

Currie started the stretch with a layup before Brunetti connected from three-point range and added a layup. Mari Bowman scored inside, and Anderson capped the surge with a three-pointer to push the lead to 56-40 with 12:08 remaining.

Brescia scored the next six points to trim the margin to 10, but Brunetti answered with a layup and Anderson sank two free throws to halt the rally. Anderson later added a three-point play, while Currie delivered two dunks to keep the Phoenix comfortably ahead.

Cumberland extended the lead to a game-high 20 points with a 6-0 burst, as Anderson made two free throws, Ellis scored inside and Kirk added two more foul shots for a 73-53 advantage with 3:35 remaining. The Phoenix shot 57.7 percent in the second half and held Brescia to 30.0 percent shooting over the final 20 minutes to secure the victory.

Cumberland returns to Dallas Floyd Phoenix Arena Thursday, Nov. 5, to host Mobile at 7 p.m.
 
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Players Mentioned

Nick Brunetti

#77 Nick Brunetti

G
6' 4"
Junior
Jaren Davis

#2 Jaren Davis

G
6' 3"
Sophomore
Arnez Anderson

#5 Arnez Anderson

G
6' 2"
Junior
Malik Currie

#13 Malik Currie

F
6' 7"
Sophomore
Kenny Ellis

#1 Kenny Ellis

G
6' 1"
Junior
Bray Kirk

#10 Bray Kirk

G
6' 2"
Freshman
Ali Tore

#23 Ali Tore

F
6' 9"
Freshman
Mari Bowman

#8 Mari Bowman

G
6' 2"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Nick Brunetti

#77 Nick Brunetti

6' 4"
Junior
G
Jaren Davis

#2 Jaren Davis

6' 3"
Sophomore
G
Arnez Anderson

#5 Arnez Anderson

6' 2"
Junior
G
Malik Currie

#13 Malik Currie

6' 7"
Sophomore
F
Kenny Ellis

#1 Kenny Ellis

6' 1"
Junior
G
Bray Kirk

#10 Bray Kirk

6' 2"
Freshman
G
Ali Tore

#23 Ali Tore

6' 9"
Freshman
F
Mari Bowman

#8 Mari Bowman

6' 2"
Freshman
G