CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky.--Cumberland put together one of its grittiest efforts of the season on Saturday afternoon, but a late comeback fell just short as the Phoenix dropped an 85-79 Mid-South Conference decision to Campbellsville at Powell Athletic Center.
Triston Conger eclipsed the 1,000-career-point mark early and finished with a game-high 29 points, while Cumberland erased a 19-point second-half deficit and trimmed the margin to three in the final minute before the Tigers closed it out at the free-throw line.
Cumberland shot 47.3 percent (26-of-55) from the floor and knocked down nine three-pointers on 37.5 percent shooting from deep. The Phoenix went 18-of-28 at the free-throw line and turned 15 Campbellsville turnovers into 18 points. Cumberland totaled 13 assists and 10 steals while scoring 53 points in the second half, but was outrebounded 34-to-24 and committed 12 turnovers.
Conger led all scorers with 29 points on 9-of-17 shooting, adding six rebounds, four assists, and three steals while playing all 40 minutes. Jordan Jenkins provided a strong spark off the bench with 15 points on 5-of-7 shooting, including three triples. Michael Nwoye added nine points and a team-high seven rebounds, while Riggs Abner chipped in nine points and Zaylin Rowland posted eight points, five assists, and three steals.
Campbellsville finished the game shooting 52.0 percent (26-of-50) from the field and connected on nine three-pointers. The Tigers went 24-of-32 from the free-throw line and held a +10 rebounding advantage. Campbellsville totaled 16 assists and blocked two shots, building its lead as high as 19 midway through the second half.
Dalton Kramer led the Tigers with 28 points and nine rebounds, while Marcellus Vail added 22 points on 7-of-12 shooting. Taveon Smith finished with 13 points and seven assists, and Ra Briggs chipped in eight points off the bench as Campbellsville placed four players in double figures.
Cumberland opened the game with immediate energy as Conger scored the Phoenix's first six points, including a pair of baskets in transition, to give Cumberland an early edge and secure his place in the 1,000-point club. The teams traded baskets through the opening minutes, with Campbellsville answering each Phoenix score to keep the game tight early.
Midway through the half, Campbellsville began to seize control behind Kramer and Vail, who combined to fuel a steady scoring run. The Tigers stretched the margin with strong interior play and trips to the free-throw line, building an eight-point advantage. Cumberland briefly slowed the momentum with a three from Abner and a layup by Rowland, but Campbellsville closed the half efficiently, scoring on five of its final seven possessions to take a 38-26 lead into the break.
The Tigers carried their rhythm into the second half, knocking down consecutive three-pointers and converting from the line to gradually extend the lead. Campbellsville pushed the margin to double figures and eventually built its largest advantage of the afternoon at 77-58 with 6:40 remaining, appearing firmly in control.
Cumberland responded with its most complete stretch of basketball. Sparked by a three from Riggs Abner and free throws from Nick Brunetti, the Phoenix began forcing turnovers and attacking downhill. Triston Conger took over offensively, hitting a deep three and converting multiple trips to the line, while Jordan Jenkins and Michael Nwoye added key baskets to keep the pressure on.
The Phoenix outscored Campbellsville 16-5 over a five-minute span, trimming the deficit to just three at 81-78 with 1:22 left after Conger calmly sank two free throws. Jenkins followed with a jumper from the baseline to make it a one-possession game in the final minute, but Campbellsville steadied itself at the line down the stretch. Jay Milburn connected on three late free throws, and the Tigers closed out the final seconds to escape with the 85-79 victory.
Cumberland will return to the Dallas Floyd Phoenix Arena on Thursday to host the University of the Cumberlands.
