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As a team, CU shot 46.9% from the field and held Mount Vernon Nazarene to 37.8% shooting. The Phoenix controlled the paint with a 46-22 advantage in points inside and forced 28 turnovers, which they converted into 35 points. Cumberland also won the rebounding battle 36-33 and finished with 16 assists.

The Phoenix came out from the opening tip and were firing on all cylinders as they ran out to a 17-7 lead before the first break in the action. Tarpley was on a tear in the opening moments in the Dallas Floyd, scoring six of the home side’s first 10 points with them all coming from within the paint.

Mount Vernon did manage to hit two three in the final moments of the opening frame, cutting the Cumberland lead down to seven by the end of the first ten minutes. Out of the break the Cougars managed to cut it down to a three point deficit at 24-21, but a pair of 3s from Bushman and Tarpley helped secure the Phoenix lead.

In the second quarter the Phoenix outscored the Cougars 20-14 and kept pace with their offensive output, landing at 42-29 after 20 minutes of action.

The second half remained much the same with Cumberland pouring in shots down low and converting turnovers into points. Cumberland forced over two dozen turnovers going into the fourth quarter and converted nearly all of those chances, profiting 35 points from their defensive efforts.

In the paint the Phoenix also continued to roll, nearly hitting the 50 points mark as the final quarter came to a close, seeing them nab their 12th win and remain perfect at home.

CU will now wait to play its final home game of 2025, facing off against St. Xavier at 2 p.m. today.

Phoenix men’s furious finish falls short in 97-89 road loss

PARAGOULD, Ark. — Nick Brunetti went for a career-high and Zaylin Rowland had his first 20-point game of his career returning to his home state, but Cumberland’s frantic second-half comeback fell just short as Crowley’s Ridge held on for a 97-89 win over the Phoenix at the Carter Activities Center on Tuesday night.

Cumberland shot 47.2% (34-of-72) from the field and connected on 12-of-28 (42.9 percent) from beyond the arc. The Phoenix held themselves to 9-of-21 at the free-throw line and finished with 41 rebounds, including 15 on the offensive glass. CU totaled 18 assists, nine steals and five blocks, but turnovers proved costly as the Phoenix committed 18 on the night.

Brunetti poured in a career-high 30 points, knocking down nine three-pointers while adding four rebounds, three assists and three blocks in 40 minutes. Rowland scored all 20 of his points in the second half, finishing with six rebounds, five steals and four assists. Triston Conger added 15 points and a team-high seven assists, while Riggs Abner chipped in eight points and eight rebounds before fouling out. Michael Nwoye contributed eight rebounds and five points in the frontcourt.

Crowley’s Ridge, coached by Lebanon native and Friendship Christian graduate Chris Perkins, shot 47.6% (30-of-63) from the floor and 45.5% (10-of-22) from three-point range. The Pioneers made their mark at the free throw line, converting 27-of-38 attempts, and held a 42-41 edge on the glass. Crowley’s Ridge recorded 21 assists and forced 18 Cumberland turnovers in the win.

Kyzer Phillips led the Pioneers with 22 points, while Cam Miller also finished with 22. Cole Nichols posted a double-double with 19 points and 12 assists to go along with nine rebounds. Bodie Bowden added 17 points, and Kuel Lual chipped in 11 points and eight rebounds, including several key free throws down the stretch.

Crowley’s Ridge set the tone early, using efficient ball movement and strong interior play to build momentum in the opening minutes. The Pioneers jumped out to an early advantage behind transition baskets and timely three-pointers, stretching the lead to double digits midway through the half. Cumberland struggled to find a rhythm offensively early, with turnovers fueling Crowley’s Ridge scoring runs.

The Phoenix began to settle in late in the half behind Brunetti’s perimeter shooting and second-chance opportunities. Cumberland pieced together several strong possessions, trimming the deficit with a series of threes and finishes at the rim, but Crowley’s Ridge answered with late buckets to take a 46-34 lead into the break.

Crowley’s Ridge pushed its advantage early in the second half, extending the lead to as many as 19 as the Pioneers capitalized at the free throw line and continued to knock down shots from deep. Cumberland faced foul trouble and struggled to string together stops as Crowley’s Ridge maintained control through the opening stretch.

Cumberland responded with a furious comeback sparked by Rowland, who erupted for 20 second-half points. Brunetti added timely triples as the Phoenix chipped away possession by possession, cutting the margin to single digits late. Despite multiple late stops and scoring bursts, the comeback fell just short as Crowley’s Ridge sealed the game at the line in the final moments.