FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Indiana Tech men’s basketball team played host to Cumberland University on Tuesday evening in the Schaefer Center, where the Warriors came up short in a closely fought battle, losing 80-76. The Orange and Black move to 4-5 on the season and 3-1 in conference play.
The Warriors got things started in the tightly contested game with a 4-0 run and maintained a lead through the opening six minutes of the first half, but a 7-0 run from Cumberland gave them their first lead of the half. Cumberland extended their lead to 5 points, but the Warriors kept things close, coming back to draw level and taking the lead with less than 3 minutes in the half. Cumberland closed the half on a 7-2 run in the final 1:54 of the first half, taking a 4-point lead over the Warriors into the half. The Phoenix controlled the opening minutes of the second half, stretching their lead to 13 with 14:26 left in the half. Over the next 7 minutes, the Orange and Black responded with a 24-10 run to retake the lead for the first time in the second half but couldn’t keep their momentum, as Cumberland immediately retook their lead and regained control of the final minutes as the Warriors came up short, falling 80-76.
Nigel Martin led the Warriors in scoring with 15 points and 3 rebounds. Lucas Lyyski scored 14 points off the bench for tech while grabbing 8 rebounds and adding 1 assist. Dallas Roberts came off the bench, posting 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists. Brady Titus was also in double-figures with 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists.
Tech is back in action on Saturday as they host Cornerstone University in a WHAC showdown, with the game scheduled to start at 3:00 p.m.