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Cumberland University

Triston Conger
94
Bethel (TN) BETHEL ( 17-12, 3-10
103
Winner Cumberland (TN) CUMBERLA 12-16, 4-9
Bethel (TN) BETHEL (
17-12, 3-10
94
Final
103
Cumberland (TN) CUMBERLA
12-16, 4-9
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 OT 1 OT 2 F
Bethel (TN) BETHEL ( 30 49 10 5 94
Cumberland (TN) CUMBERLA 37 42 10 14 103

Next Game:

vs. University of the Cumberlands (Ky.)

2/28/2026 | 7:30 PM

Next Game

Full Schedule
Feb. 28 (Sat) / 7:30 PM
vs. University of the Cumberlands (Ky.)
History

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Men’s Basketball Was Tested By Bethel, But Wins In Two Overtimes On Senior Day

LEBANON, Tenn. -- Phoenix played ten minutes of free basketball, and took control in the second overtime to sweep the Wildcats with a 103-94 double overtime win.

Cumberland shot 51.9% from the field (40-77), 55.6% from three(10-18), and 52% from the free throw line (13-25). The Phoenix were able to get a slight edge in rebounding (43-44), force 17 turnovers, and get 26 points off turnovers. Cumberland was able to control the points in the paint (54-48) and lead in second chance points (20-18).

Individually, the Phoenix were led by Triston Conger, who scored 30 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and two steals in 48 minutes of action. Zaylin Rowland notched a career high 25 points, to go along with four rebounds and six assists.  Michael Nwoye got another double double, getting 15 points, 13 rebounds (seven offensive rebounds), along with five blocks and three steals. Nick Brunetti scored 12 points and three threes, and Jaren Davis scored 10 points and two threes. 

Bethel shot 45.0% from the field (36-80), 40.0% from three (8-20), and 77.8% from the free throw line (14-18). The Wildcats were able to lead in offensive rebounds (18-17) and bench points (36-19).

Individually for the Wildcats, David Starr scored 24 points, four assists and two steals. Chauncey Hughes III scored 23 points, five rebounds, and five assists, Jackson Hayes scored 13 points and six rebounds, and Ethan Turner scored 10 points and nine rebounds.

Before the game started, Cumberland recognized Riggs Abner for his time as a Phoenix, and Triston Conger for his career accomplishments.

To start the game, the Phoenix struggled, as Bethel built a 7-2 lead, however, the Phoenix were able to tie the game back to nine behind two straight baskets for Michael Nwoye and a Conger three. 

As the first half reached the halfway points, Cumberland and Bethel were trading mini-runs, as it would be tied 15-15 with a free throw coming for Nwoye to give Cumberland their first lead of the game.

After a 10-0 run by the Phoenix, Bethel scored ten straight to take the lead. Then, six straight Phoenix points, including two Conger fast break layups, gave Cumberland a 29-26 lead at the next timeout.

For the final five minutes of the first half, the Phoenix were able to get a three from Nick Brunetti and Jake Hatch to extend the Phoenix lead to seven and head into halftime with a score of 37-30.

At halftime, Conger is leading the way with 11 points and five rebounds. Davis and Nwoye both have scored seven, and Zaylin Rowland has scored six and disturbed four assists.

To start the second half, Bethel would get active on the glass, getting their first two baskets off of offensive rebounds. After that, Conger would start to come alive, getting two three point plays, one from a foul, and one behind the arc, to extend the Phoenix lead to nine five minutes into the second half.

Coming out of the timeout, the Wildcat's advantage on the glass would start to show up, as Bethel would create a 10-2 run through multiple second chance opportunities and cut the Cumberland lead to one with 11:13 left in the second half. After that timeout, Cumberland would find a stop, and find multiple Rowland layups and a Brunetti three to get the lead back to six halfway through the second half.

Heading into the final stretch, Bethel would be able to find some offense, making multiple threes and cutting the Phoenix lead to one. Which is where the lead would be heading into the final media timeout after a Conger offensive foul.
After the media timeout, The Wildcats would take an 8-0 run to take their first lead since the first half. Then, Cumberland would be able to regain the lead. After that, Bethel would be able to tie the game up with the ball with the score being 79-79. Nwoye's defensive pressure forced a step on the baseline, which set up a look for Conger, but it just missed and the game went to overtime. 

In that overtime, Brunetti would open the scoring with a three, then Bethel would get two baskets. After that, it would go back and forth, with Conger scoring 1-2 from the line to get an 89-88 lead, then Bethel goes 1-2 right back to tie the game at 89 with 8.4 seconds. Conger gets a good look from three, but is short and Nwoye's putback is after the buzzer, and now the game went to a second overtime.

In the second overtime, Rowland opens the scoring going 1-2 on the line, then Jordan Jenkins gets a steal and gives it to Conger for the layup. After another good defensive possession by the Phoenix, Rowland hit a floater to extend the lead to five. After that, Cumberland was able to extend the lead to eight after free throws and a third chance opportunity by Jenkins with 2:17 left in double OT. After a couple free throws from Conger and a layup by Jenkins, Cumberland reached the century mark. Bethel would hit a three and call timeout with the score being 101-94 with 32.8 seconds left. After two free throws from Rowland, Cumberland would win in double overtime 103-94.

Cumberland jumps to 11-16, and 3-9 in conference play, while Bethel drops to 17-11, and 3-9 in conference play. The Phoenix will have to wait and see how the rest of the games today will go to determine who they play in the Mid-South Tournament.
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Players Mentioned

Riggs Abner

#3 Riggs Abner

G
6' 6"
Graduate Student
Nick Brunetti

#77 Nick Brunetti

G
6' 4"
Sophomore
Triston Conger

#1 Triston Conger

G
6' 2"
Redshirt Junior
Jaren Davis

#2 Jaren Davis

G
6' 3"
Freshman
Jake Hatch

#4 Jake Hatch

F
6' 10"
Redshirt Sophomore
Michael Nwoye

#7 Michael Nwoye

F
6' 7"
Freshman
Zaylin Rowland

#42 Zaylin Rowland

G
6' 2"
Freshman
Jordan Jenkins

#23 Jordan Jenkins

G
6' 1"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Riggs Abner

#3 Riggs Abner

6' 6"
Graduate Student
G
Nick Brunetti

#77 Nick Brunetti

6' 4"
Sophomore
G
Triston Conger

#1 Triston Conger

6' 2"
Redshirt Junior
G
Jaren Davis

#2 Jaren Davis

6' 3"
Freshman
G
Jake Hatch

#4 Jake Hatch

6' 10"
Redshirt Sophomore
F
Michael Nwoye

#7 Michael Nwoye

6' 7"
Freshman
F
Zaylin Rowland

#42 Zaylin Rowland

6' 2"
Freshman
G
Jordan Jenkins

#23 Jordan Jenkins

6' 1"
Junior
G