COLUMBIA, Ky – Lindsey Wilson men's basketball picks up its first home win of the new year after defeating Cumberland University (Tenn.) on Saturday afternoon, 77-64. This victory snapped a four-game losing streak for the Blue Raiders and improves its home record to 4-7 and 7-13 overall.

A great day of shooting for LWC allowed them to dominate on the offensive end and capitalize on the Phoenix missed opportunities at the free throw line in the victory at Biggers Sports Center. This loss is the second straight for Cumberland and drops them to 10-10 overall and 7-8 in conference.

Three Blue Raiders were able to hit double figures in scoring with five others just a few points shy. Lucas Ribeiro led the team with 14 points and was one rebound short of a double-double as Lindsey Wilson had the 36 to 28 rebounding edge. Ribeiro was supported by a 11-point performance from senior forward Jamie Strong and 10 from Jamyus Jones.

This physical matchup between the two did not take long getting into action from the jump as each squad traded baskets within the first few minutes of play. There were four lead changes and five ties in this contest all in the first half alone. The Phoenix settled in and went on a 9-2 run to take the 18-12 lead with 10:36 remaining in the half.

Lindsey Wilson finally started to get things going as they went on a small run of its own after being on the other end of one. A pair of threes by Strong and a few aggressive finishes inside by the Blue Raiders allowed them to regain the lead and take control of the game just before the half. Strong led all scorers with nine points while shooting 60% from beyond the arc as LWC led 35-29 at halftime.

In the second half, the Blue Raiders came out as the aggressor going on a 14-6 run within the first five minutes of play. From that point on, it was all Lindsey Wilson as their offensive attack was spread out all across the lineup. Nine Blue Raiders were able to get on the board as LWC shot 50% from the field and almost 40% from the three.

Cumberland closed the game on a 10-2 run but it was not enough to overcome the 22-point deficit in the second half as Lindsey Wilson cruised to a 77-64 win.

Jayden Lazard had a game-high of six assists along with his seven points and two steals.

The Blue Raiders are back in action next Thursday, Jan. 26 in Crestview Hills, Ky as they take on 10th-ranked Thomas More (Ky.) at 6:30 p.m. CT.