COLUMBIA, Ky. – The Lindsey Wilson men's basketball team earned a big home win over No. 6 University of the Cumberlands (Ky.), taking down the Patriots 94-88 on Thursday night inside Biggers Sports Center.
The Blue Raiders (16-7, 5-3 Mid-South Conference) shot 51 percent from the field and 36 percent from three while holding the Patriots (19-5, 4-4 MSC) to 45 percent shooting and 37 percent from beyond the arc. The game featured four lead changes and two ties as Lindsey Wilson pulled away late to secure its second straight home win.
Kenyata Carbon led the way,
tying his career high with 33 points, while adding nine rebounds, five assists, and two steals.
DJ Gordon added 16 points, including three three-pointers.
Victory Naboya finished with 11 points and six rebounds,
Olson Nicholson and
Latrell Kyles contributed 10 and 8 points, respectively,
Mihail Gavazov added eight points and nine rebounds, and
Julian Cunningham scored eight with two made threes.
The Blue Raiders jumped out to an early 11-6 lead behind strong play from Naboya inside. Cumberlands answered with back-to-back threes to take a 21-15 lead, but Lindsey Wilson responded with a 10-4 run highlighted by buckets from Kyles and Nicholson. Gordon's two late threes helped the Blue Raiders close the half strong, taking a 41-38 lead into the break.
Lindsey Wilson carried the momentum into the second half as Carbon and Cunningham hit early shots to extend the advantage to 53-44. The Patriots cut the lead to one at 63-62 midway through the half, but the Blue Raiders stayed composed. Carbon scored 14 points in the final ten minutes, including a three-pointer and multiple drives through traffic to keep the lead.
Gordon and Naboya added key baskets late, and Gavazov hit back-to-back threes in the closing minutes to seal the win. Carbon went 12-for-14 from the free throw line, hitting six straight in the final seconds to keep Cumberlands at arm's length.
Lindsey Wilson returns to action on Saturday, February 7, when the Blue Raiders host Carolina University (N.C.) at 2 p.m. CT inside Biggers Sports Center.
