Skip To Main Content

Cumberland University

mbb preview campbellsville

Men's Basketball

Phoenix Seek Road Response Against Campbellsville

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky.--Cumberland men's basketball heads back on the road Saturday night for a Mid-South Conference matchup against the Campbellsville Tigers, as the Tigers enter the weekend riding the momentum of a statement win over No. 15 Georgetown.

The Phoenix (9-12, 2-5 MSC) come into the contest fresh off an 83-68 road victory at Bethel on Wednesday, snapping a short skid and picking up their second conference win of the season. Cumberland has shown the ability to score efficiently, averaging 77.0 points per game on 45.4 percent shooting, while ranking inside the top 50 nationally in rebounds per game (38.2) and steals per contest (8.9).

Triston Conger continues to pace the Phoenix offensively, averaging 17.7 points per game while shooting 49.1 percent from the field. Michael Nwoye provides a strong interior presence, posting 12.5 points and a team-best 8.5 rebounds per game, while Zaylin Rowland (10.5 ppg) and Nick Brunetti (9.6 ppg) give Cumberland multiple scoring options across the floor. Riggs Abner has added a spark off the bench, shooting nearly 39 percent from three-point range.

Campbellsville (16-6, 2-5 MSC) enters Saturday after knocking off 15th-ranked Georgetown, 86-76, on Thursday night inside the Powell Athletic Center. The Tigers put together one of their most complete performances of the season, shooting 60.0 percent from the field and 54.2 percent from beyond the arc, while three players eclipsed the 20-point mark.

Dalton Kramer led the charge with 24 points, followed closely by Marcellus Vail with 23 and Ra Briggs, who poured in 21 points off the bench on 5-of-6 shooting from three-point range. Campbellsville is one of the most dangerous perimeter-shooting teams in the conference, ranking among the league leaders with 9.5 made three-pointers per game while shooting 36.6 percent from deep.

In the first meeting between the two teams, Campbellsville used a strong opening half to pull away for a 72-56 win in Lebanon. Cumberland struggled offensively early, shooting just 21.4 percent in the first half before settling in after the break. Jordan Jenkins led the Phoenix with 12 points in that contest, while Abner added 11 off the bench.

Saturday's matchup sets up as a contrast in styles, with Cumberland looking to control the glass and limit second-chance opportunities against a Campbellsville squad that thrives on ball movement and perimeter efficiency. Tipoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. central time, as the Phoenix look to carry momentum from Thursday's win and even the season series on the road.
 
Print Friendly Version

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
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
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