Men's Basketball 2/20/2026 12:00:00 PM

Men’s Basketball Ends Regular Season At Home Against Bethel

LEBANON, Tenn. -- The Phoenix look to end the regular season strong with a sweep against the Wildcats.

Cumberland (10-16, 2-9) is coming off of a loss at No. 1 Freed Hardeman on Thursday where they were down by only two at halftime, but the Lions would find their scoring form and win 85-61. In the last matchup against Bethel in McKenzie, the Phoenix were able to dominate and win their second conference game of the season 83-68.

The Phoenix are averaging 75.2 points per game while shooting 44.8% from the field, 31.5% from behind the arc, and 67.6% from the charity stripe, meanwhile, Cumberland is allowing 78.7 points per game with 44.4/33.0/69.7 shooting splits. On the glass, the Phoenix average 36.9 rebounds per game, including 11.5 offensive rebounds per game, while allowing 37.5 rebounds per game and 11.8 offensive rebounds per game.

Individually, the Phoenix are led with their backcourt, which includes redshirt junior Triston Conger. Conger is averaging 17.2 points per game, while shooting 47.1% from the field, while also grabbing 5.5 points and distributing 3.7 assists. The Hendersonville native scored 18 points and went 2-2 from three in the win over Bethel last time. Pairing with Conger, is freshman guard Zaylin Rowland and sophomore guard Nick Brunetti. Rowland scores 10.3 points per game and shoots 32.6% from three while distributing 2.3 assists and getting 1.4 steals per game. In the game in McKenzie, the Little Rock, Arkansas native scored 19 points, got two rebounds and three assists. Brunetti is averaging 9.0 points per game and is leading the Phoenix in three point shots made (28). In the frontcourt, freshman forward Michael Nwoye has been continuing his strong freshman season, averaging 12.3 points per game, 8.2 rebounds per game and 3.2 offensive rebounds per game. Nwoye led the way for the Phoenix in that game against Bethel, scoring 23 points, getting 10 rebounds, and blocking five shots. Coming off of the bench, Cumberland has graduate guard Riggs Abner (6.4 points,34.7% from three), junior guard Jordan Jenkins (6.2 points, 35.5% from three), redshirt sophomore Jake Hatch (5.2 points, 32.4% from three).

For Bethel (17-10, 3-8), the Wildcats are coming off of a 78-88 loss to Lindsey Wilson. Bethel's offense averages 78.7 points per game on 42.6% shooting from the field, 31.2% from three and 70.1% from the free throw line, while they allow 76.9 points per game on 43.6% shooting from the field and 33.7% from behind the arc. On the glass, the Wildcats average 40.1 rebounds per game and 13.8 offensive rebounds per game, while allowing 34.9 rebounds per game and 9.6 offensive rebounds per game.

Individually for Bethel, they are led by senior guard Chauncey Hughes III, who is averaging 15.9 points per game on 41.4/35/84.7 shooting splits, as well as 3.5 rebounds per game and 2.7 assists per game. In the last game against Cumberland, Hughes scored 15 points and three rebounds. To pair with Hughes in the backcourt, senior guard David Starr, who is averaging 12.6 points on 40.0/31.0/75.4 shooting splits, while also averaging 4.6 rebounds. Starr scored 23 points, eight rebounds, and three assists against the Phoenix in the first matchup. In the frontcourt, there is junior forward Ethan Turner, who is averaging 9.9 points on 46.1% shooting from the field, as well as 6.2 rebounds and 2.4 offensive rebounds. In the first matchup against Cumberland, Turner scored six points, and got seven rebounds.

In the all-time series between the Phoenix and Wildcats, Cumberland has 25 wins in the 33 game series and winning the last two matchups. When Cumberland hosts Bethel at Dallas Floyd Phoenix Arena, they have a record of 13-2.

For our Senior Night festivities, Cumberland Men's Basketball only has one person participating, and that is guard Riggs Abner, who has been with the program for two years.

Tipoff is scheduled for 3:00 pm and it will be streamed live for free on the Urban Edge Network, with Jon Boyce and Harley Dixon on the call on 98.9 WANT FM.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#3 Riggs Abner: G; 6' 6"; Graduate Student

#77 Nick Brunetti: G; 6' 4"; Sophomore

#1 Triston Conger: G; 6' 2"; Redshirt Junior

#4 Jake Hatch: F; 6' 10"; Redshirt Sophomore

#7 Michael Nwoye: F; 6' 7"; Freshman

#42 Zaylin Rowland: G; 6' 2"; Freshman

#23 Jordan Jenkins: G; 6' 1"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#3 Riggs Abner
: 6' 6"; Graduate Student
: G

#77 Nick Brunetti
: 6' 4"; Sophomore
: G

#1 Triston Conger
: 6' 2"; Redshirt Junior
: G

#4 Jake Hatch
: 6' 10"; Redshirt Sophomore
: F

#7 Michael Nwoye
: 6' 7"; Freshman
: F

#42 Zaylin Rowland
: 6' 2"; Freshman
: G

#23 Jordan Jenkins
: 6' 1"; Junior
: G