CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. (Interstat) — Campbellsville used balanced scoring and a strong interior presence to defeat WVU Tech 76-55 in a men’s NAIA basketball game on Tuesday at Powell Athletic Center. The Tigers moved to 1-0, while the Golden Bears fell to 0-1. Campbellsville shot 30 of 62 from the floor and built a 42-32 rebounding advantage, answering WVU Tech’s early perimeter success with efficient offense and control in the paint.

WVU Tech shot 19 of 63 from the field, 8 of 27 from 3-point range and 9 of 14 from the free throw line. Campbellsville shot 6 of 21 from beyond the arc and 10 of 18 from the line. The Golden Bears scored 55 points from 76 possessions, an offensive rating of 72.7. Campbellsville scored 76 points from 71 possessions, an offensive rating of 107.7. Campbellsville also finished with 11 assists, eight blocks and eight turnovers, while WVU Tech had three assists, four blocks and 13 turnovers. WVU Tech committed 12 fouls, and Campbellsville committed 13.

Campbellsville’s key performers included Dalton Kramer, Aeramiah Binford, Tyran Cook, Eli Brooks, Hunter Duncan and Taveon Smith. WVU Tech’s key performers included Ian Goings, Scotty Browning, James Wood and Jase Smith. The Tigers controlled the paint for much of the night, with Binford converting several close-range chances and Brooks adding layups during important stretches. Cook and Kramer also provided timely scoring as Campbellsville kept the Golden Bears from mounting a sustained comeback.

The most important stretch came in the second quarter. After WVU Tech got 3-pointers from James Wood and Jase Smith, Campbellsville answered with a sequence that changed the game’s shape. Aeramiah Binford made a dunk with 9:27 remaining, Hunter Duncan followed with a 3-point jump shot at the 9:00 mark and Binford made a layup at 8:27. Binford added dunks at 6:11 and 5:54, while Eli Brooks made consecutive layups at 7:40 and 7:14. That inside production, combined with Campbellsville’s rebounding edge, helped the Tigers pull away.

WVU Tech had early success from the perimeter. Trayten Woods made a 3-point jump shot in the first quarter, and Ian Goings added another from beyond the arc. James Wood made a 3-point jump shot in the first quarter and hit two more 3-pointers in the second quarter. Jase Smith and Scotty Browning also connected from deep. The Golden Bears, however, could not match Campbellsville’s shooting volume or its work on the glass. Campbellsville held a 42-32 overall rebounding edge and an 8-7 advantage on the offensive boards.

Campbellsville scored 47 points in the first quarter and added 29 in its other scoring period, while WVU Tech scored 36 in the first quarter and added 19 in its other scoring period. The Tigers’ 8-4 edge in blocks and 11-3 advantage in assists reflected their control at both ends. WVU Tech forced 8 Campbellsville turnovers but committed 13 of its own. The Golden Bears also were limited to 19 made field goals on 63 attempts.

Campbellsville’s defense made the difference after halftime. The Tigers blocked eight shots and limited WVU Tech to 8 of 27 shooting from 3-point range. Campbellsville also turned 13 WVU Tech turnovers into extra possessions and protected the ball with only eight turnovers. Binford’s finishing around the rim, Brooks’ layups and Duncan’s outside shooting gave Campbellsville multiple answers. Tyran Cook and Dalton Kramer also made key plays in the first half as the Tigers built a comfortable margin.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of WVU Tech 67, Campbellsville 63. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Campbellsville with an 81.4 percent probability to win.