LEBANON, Tenn. – Thomas Douglas scored 26 points and Kenneth Simms added 19 and 11 rebounds, as 19^th-ranked Cumberland outlasted Bluefield College, 94-92, Friday night at the Lindsey Wilson Classic in Columbia, Ky.

 

Douglas was 6-for-12 from the field, including 4-of-5 from 3-point range, and hit 10-of-12 free throws. The senior added six assists in the victory, as the Bulldogs (4-1) hit 60 percent from the floor as a team.

 

Simms was 9-of-12 from the field for his 19 points. Cumberland had five players in double figures, including Rontreal Braxton with 13 points, Jamar Finley with 12 and Brandon Springer with 11.

 

The Bulldogs led 50-48 at halftime and then shot 65 percent from the field (17-for-26) in the second half, but could not put Bluefield away thanks to 23 CU turnovers.

 

Omar Reed led Bluefield with 17 points and Coryon Ross had 15 points. BC ended the contest 11-for-29 from 3-point range, a major component to their offense.

 

“That was the most intense offense we’ve faced this year,” head coach Lonnie Thompson said. “They push the ball up the court. They’re very athletic and shoot the three and they play a lot of small guys and it’s hard to matchup with them the whole game. I hope we don’t have to face another team that plays at that pace.”

 

Cumberland plays at Tennessee State next Friday in an exhibition and plays its home opener on Sunday, November 16 versus Oakwood University at 5 p.m.