Men’s Basketball falls to hot-shooting Cumberlands in season opener

WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. (October 26, 2021) – The Milligan University men's basketball team shot over 50 percent from the field and from deep, but the University of the Cumberlands shot even better as the Patriots down the Buffs 102-83 at the O. Wayne Rollins Center on Tuesday night.

Tuesday was the season-opener for both teams. Cumberlands, who advanced to the NAIA National Tournament last season, moves to 1-0 while the Buffs fall to 0-1.

Milligan had four players score in double figures and shot 53.4 percent from the floor and connected on seven-of-13 three-pointers. Cumberlands had three players score over 20 points, four double-digit scorers and shot 51.4 percent from the field and drilled 15-of-32 threes.

After Milligan scored the game's first basket, Cumberlands immediately tied the game but then led the rest of the evening. The Buffs remained within five points for most of the first half. A late 7-0 run put the Patriots ahead 41-29 late in the first half, but a three-pointer by Jackson Gabriel and a tip-in from Piripi Korent trimmed the deficit to 41-34 at the halftime break.

The closest the Buffs got to Cumberlands was five (47-42) with 17:46 to play in regulation. However the Patriots quickly went on a 9-2 run and led by double-figures the rest of the way.

Josh Thomas led the Buffs with 17 points on seven-of-10 shooting with four rebounds. Gabriel made three three-pointers on his way to 14 points.

Sami Sanad poured in 13 points and had four rebounds in his Milligan debut. Trevor Hensley had 11 points. Finn McClure had nine points, six rebounds and four assists.

Levontae Knox scored eight points and had three rebounds, two assists and two steals off the bench. Julian Wilson and Korent chipped in five points.

Cumberlands' Steven Fitzgerald and Kahlil Davis knocked down five three-pointers apiece and combined for 53 points.

Milligan begins AAC play next Saturday, Nov. 6 at Montreat.