Gude’s 22 points, Holt’s double-double lead CU men to victory

Stellar nights by Lester Gude and Creshaun Holt propelled Cumberland to a 79-59 conference victory over St. Catharine College Thursday night at the Dallas Floyd Recreation Center.

Gude knocked down four three-pointers en route to a game-high 22 points and Holt snared 15 rebounds, eight on the offensive end, and also contributed 13 points.

On the evening, Cumberland was hot from behind the arc, hitting 66 percent, with six players connecting from deep.

Gude was the first Bulldog to light up the offense, scoring a layup while being fouled and connecting on the extra point. A minute later he hit a deep shot to give CU a 6-5 early advantage.

Holt then connected from inside the paint and hit a three-pointer of his own, his first of the season, to put Cumberland up by three within the first five minutes of the game.

Jerret Towns also got into the action off of the bench, scoring on an old-fashioned three-point play, to put CU up 16-11. A three-pointer by SCC’s Marquis Lee gave the Patriots a two-point lead with ten minutes left in the first stanza, but Gude was quick to answer with a jumper, layup and free throw to give Cumberland a 26-20 lead. Minutes later, Towns nailed three consecutive triples to put the Bulldogs up 41-25 with under five minutes remaining until intermission.

SCC was only able to muster one more field goal before halftime, giving CU a 48-33 lead at the break.

Cumberland cooled off after halftime, only scoring four field goals within the first ten minutes, which all happened to be three pointers – one each by Elijah Gillis and Gude, along with two from E.J. Perry. The Patriots also struggled from the field, not hitting a field goal until six minutes in and CU ahead by 20 points.

With under seven minutes to play, the Patriots began to force Bulldog turnovers and cut the lead to 14. Brian Blackmon’s layup and ensuing free throw gave CU their momentum back, as Cumberland grew the lead up to 21 before the final buzzer sounded.

Towns finished with 14 points, all coming in the first half, while Blackmon added 13 points and five assists.

For St. Catharine, Travis Wilkins posted a triple-double with 13 points, 12 rebounds and 10 blocks. Lee led the team in scoring with 17.

Cumberland will complete its first conference weekend homestand this afternoon against Georgetown College at 4 p.m.