LEBANON, Tenn. – The Lions basketball team (5-0, 2-0 MSC) knocked off Cumberland University (1-1, 0-1 MSC) 77-73 in a thriller to stay unbeaten in its inaugural Mid-South Conference season.

The Phoenix jumped out to a hot start, going up on the Lions 9-0 to start the game. But a strong stretch from Ryley McClaran and John Musselwhite got the Lions back in the game after a 14-4 run before the halfway mark of the first half.

Both teams would continue to go back and forth in the opening 20 minutes, leading to a deadlocked halftime score 39-39.

Both teams continued to trade baskets in the second half, with neither team taking a true advantage until the Lions went up seven after a Francis Agbata put-back. The Lions would regain the lead with just under six and a half minutes to go in the game after Musselwhite knocked down one of his five 3-pointers, and they would hold onto that lead for the remainder of the game.

Musselwhite led all scorers with 23 points while pulling down seven rebounds in the contest.

Kortand Martin and Wanya Morris both finished the game with 17 points. Martin added four assists to his tally.

The Lions will be back in action on Tuesday when they travel to Blue Mountain for a nonconference matchup. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m.