JACKSON, Tenn. - 1/8/2009 - The fifth ranked Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ University Bulldogs used a three-pointer from senior Brian Lake at the buzzer to defeat No. 15 Cumberland (Tenn.) University 77-76. Lake's three pointer was his first of the game and came after Cumberland made one-of-two free throws to take a 76-74 lead with 13 seconds remaining.
Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ led by seven points, 74-67, with 4:39 left in the game. However, Cumberland posted a 9-0 run to take a 76-74 lead with 13 seconds remaining.
Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ trailed 75-74 inside 30 seconds left on the clock. After a missed three pointer from Matt Neaville, the rebound rolled out of bounds off of a Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ player with 14 seconds left. Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ was called for a foul on the inbounds pass that put Cumberland's Mario Stowers on the free throw line for two shots. Stowers made the first and missed the second, giving Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ a chance for the win. Neaville took the rebound and sprinted for a final shot. After the team's leading scorer and top three-point shooter in the NAIA couldn't find an opening, Neaville found Lake who quickly put up the shot in traffic that touched nothing but net. The referees placed point-four seconds on the clock, but Cumberland's inbounds pass sailed out of bounds, giving Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ the win.
The first half was almost as exciting as both teams lit up the scoreboard with high shooting percentages. Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ shot 63-percent from the field in the first half, including 60-percent (6-10) from behind the arc. Cumberland shot 52-percent from the field and 57-percent (8-14) from behind the arc in the first half.
One tie and three lead changes highlighted the first half. Cumberland took their biggest lead of the game at eight points, 33-25 with 8:42 left in the half. Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ held their biggest lead of the game with their eight-point, 49-41 halftime lead.
Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ led 49-41 at the half, and maintained a lead for the majority of the second half. Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ matched that eight-point lead at 68-60 with 8:07 left in the game, before Cumberland stormed back. From that point, Cumberland posted 15-6 run to take their first lead of the second half.
Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ was led by Matt Neaville with 26 points, including 6-of-11 from behind the arc. Antoine Joseph followed his career high 27-point outing last Saturday, with 17 points. Lake added 11 points, including the game-winning three pointer. Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ shot 52-percent for the game, 48-percent (10-21) from behind the arc, and 92-percent (11-12) from the free throw line.
Cumberland boasted five players in double figures, led by Thomas Douglas with 20 points. Rontreal Braxton scored 19 points, including 4-of-7 three pointers. Kenneth Simms and Quentin Turner added 12 points each, while Brandon Springer 10 points and 10 rebounds. The Cumberland Bulldogs shot 50-percent from the field, 50-percent (12-24) from behind the arc, and 47-percent (8-17) from the free throw line.
Up next for Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ will be a non-conference rematch versus Life (Ga.) University on Monday, January 12 at 7:00 pm at Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ. Life gave Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ one of their three losses in a 100-92 game back in November of 2008.
#UNION#
| Steven Aldridge Phone: (731) 661-5027 |
Fax: (731) 661-5182 |