PULASKI, Tenn. – For the third time in as many contests, the Martin Methodist Men's Basketball team saw a late, tightly-contested contest go against it as it suffered a 68-63 loss to Cumberland (Tenn.) University Tuesday night in the Curry Christian Life Center.

After a heartbreaking three-point loss to No. 9 Life (Ga.) University in their last outing, the RedHawks (0-7) found themselves on the wrong end of another hard-fought loss to a Mid-South Conference foe.

The game featured seven ties and six lead changes, with neither side able to pull ahead by more than two possessions for virtually the entire contest.

Ahead by two points with just over three minutes to play, the RedHawks saw the visitors utilize their size in the paint to grab rebounds and apply pressure that led to RedHawk miscues.

After costly turnovers and missed rebound opportunities, the RedHawks found themselves down 65-59 with just under a minute to go. But a late flurry saw the RedHawks pull within striking distance once more at 65-62 with just over 20 seconds remaining.

But two free throws down the stretch sealed the contest for the Phoenix.

Four RedHawks finished in double-figures as senior forward Will Smith led the charge with 13 points. Sophomore forward Patrick Murphy (12), junior guard Joran Olison (10) and junior guard Javonte Cooper (10) rounded out the double-digit scorers.

The RedHawks were outrebounded by the larger Phoenix ballclub by a 36-27 margin and saw the visitors put together 32 of their 68 points from the paint.

Phoenix big man Juandrico Walker finished the night 8-of-16 from the floor for a game-high 20 points and nine rebounds.

Both teams shot over 40 percent from the floor as the Phoenix connected on 23-of-53 attempts on the night and the RedHawks notched 23-of-48 field goal attempts.