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Cumberland University

Bray Kirk
73
Carolina (N.C.) CAROLINA 2-5
78
Winner Cumberland (TN) CU 3-4
Carolina (N.C.) CAROLINA
2-5
73
Final
78
Cumberland (TN) CU
3-4
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Carolina (N.C.) CAROLINA 26 47 73
Cumberland (TN) CU 37 41 78

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Georgia Gwinnett College

11/18/2026 | 7:00 PM

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Full Schedule
Nov. 18 (Wed) / 7:00 PM
 Georgia Gwinnett College
History

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Phoenix Hold Off Carolina for 78-73 Win

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga.--Cumberland men's basketball built a 17-point first-half lead and held off a second-half push from Carolina (N.C.) to secure a 78-73 victory Saturday at the Convocation Center.

Cumberland (3-4) shot 54.0 percent from the field, connecting on 27-of-50 attempts, including 5-of-15 from three-point range. The Phoenix finished 19-of-31 at the free-throw line, outscored Carolina 36-26 in the paint and received 30 points from their bench.

Kenny Ellis led Cumberland with 17 points on 7-of-12 shooting, adding six rebounds and three assists. Jaren Davis contributed 13 points, six rebounds and three assists, while Bray Kirk provided 13 points, four rebounds and a team-high four assists off the bench. Nick Brunetti rounded out the double-figure scorers with 10 points, four rebounds, three steals and two assists.

Carolina (2-5) finished 19-of-60 from the floor for 31.7 percent and made 5-of-24 three-point attempts. The Bruins stayed within reach by converting 30-of-39 free throws and holding a 43-32 rebounding advantage, including 18 offensive boards that produced 15 second-chance points.

Noah Jones and DJ Evans paced Carolina with 16 points and eight rebounds apiece. Jones knocked down three three-pointers, while Evans went 9-of-11 at the foul line. Jaylen Wilkerson added 14 points and seven rebounds.

After Carolina took a 6-4 lead, Cumberland answered with six consecutive points to move in front for good. Brunetti converted two free throws before Davis and Malik Currie added layups to give the Phoenix a 10-6 advantage.

The Phoenix took control with a 15-0 run after Carolina pulled within 10-8. Ellis scored five points during the stretch, including a three-point play, while Asa Hardyway knocked down a three-pointer and Keller Jackson added a layup. Brunetti capped the surge with a triple at the 7:39 mark to stretch the lead to 25-8.

Carolina trimmed the deficit down the stretch, but Cumberland carried a 37-26 advantage into halftime behind 10 points from Ellis.

The Bruins continued to chip away in the second half, though Cumberland repeatedly answered to maintain its lead. Three-pointers from Ellis and Brunetti helped keep the margin in double figures early in the period, and a Kirk layup put the Phoenix ahead 58-48 with 9:08 remaining.

Carolina used a 12-5 stretch to close within 63-60 on two Evans free throws with 3:46 left. Davis responded with a jumper, and Ellis followed with two baskets over the next two minutes to help Cumberland maintain a 69-63 edge.

The Phoenix created separation at the foul line in the closing minute. Arnez Anderson made four free throws in the final 49 seconds before Mari Bowman sank a pair with 23 seconds remaining to push the lead to 76-69. Anderson and Kirk each added another free throw as Cumberland closed out the five-point victory.

Cumberland will be back at home on Wednesday in a rematch of yesterday's contest against No. 12 Georgia Gwinnett.
 
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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
Asa Hardyway

#7 Asa Hardyway

G
6' 2"
Junior
Keller Jackson

#22 Keller Jackson

F
6' 4"
Freshman
Bray Kirk

#10 Bray Kirk

G
6' 2"
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
Asa Hardyway

#7 Asa Hardyway

6' 2"
Junior
G
Keller Jackson

#22 Keller Jackson

6' 4"
Freshman
F
Bray Kirk

#10 Bray Kirk

6' 2"
Freshman
G
Mari Bowman

#8 Mari Bowman

6' 2"
Freshman
G