Patriots open roundball with win

The University of the Cumberlands Patriots opened their roundball season with a 80-58 win over Indiana University-Southeast Monday night at the O Wayne Rollins Center. The Patriots broke open a close game in the second half by shooting 60 percent from the field and four of nine from three points range to outscore IU-Southeast, 45-23. The Patriots’ defense held the visitors to just 7 of 27 in the second half after IUSE had hit 15 of 29 for 51.7 percent in the opening half to hang with the Patriots. Five Cumberlands players finished in double figures with Josh Phillips and Chad Byron leading the way with 16 points. Byron hit three 3-pointers to pace the Patriots in that category. UC was 8 of 18 for the night while IUSE connected on just one basket from long range. Luke Fitzgerald added 13 points while Xavier Price and Matt Daniel tossed in 12 points each. The Patriots will return to action Friday night when they take on Malone College in the first-round of the UC Invitational. Grace will play Milligan College.