The Dalton State Men’s Basketball Booster Club will host the second annual Holiday Basketball Classic this weekend at the Northwest Georgia Trade and Convention Center’s Mashburn Arena.
Dalton State will be joined in the event by Concordia from Selma, Al; the University of the Cumberlands from Williamsburgh, Ky and Cumberland University from Lebanon, Tn.
The Roadrunners will not play Concordia (3-6) in the Classic. The Hornets are Division I members of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association. Dalton State and the two Cumberlands are Division I members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.
The Roadrunners (9-1 overall, 2-1 SSAC) ranked number 13 in the first NAIA national D-I poll of the regular season. Cumberland University and the University of the Cumberlands are Division I members of the NAIA’s Mid-East Conference.
Cumberland University fell to 5-8 on the season Wednesday night, but don’t let the record fool you. Wednesday’s seven point loss, 59-52, was to eighth-ranked Martin Methodist (10-1). In fact, two of their losses have been to the Redhawks. The first encounter was on November 24th when the Bulldogs fell by two points, 66-64.
Each team had 15 turnovers in Wednesday’s game. The Bulldogs hit just 35 percent from the field and only 12-of-23 from the foul line.
University of the Cumberlands (10-4) started the season tied for 25th in the NAIA pre-season poll. The Patriots dropped out of the top 25 with the first poll of the regular season, but remain in the “receiving votes” group. The Patriots’ last game was a 63-61 Sunday win over Union College.
Action at Mashburn Arena will be as follows:
Friday. December 19 – 6:00 p.m. EST – Concordia and the University of the Cumberlands
Friday, December 19 – 8:00 p.m. EST – Dalton State and Cumberland University
Saturday, December 20 – 2:00 p.m. EST – Concordia and Cumberland University
Saturday, December 20 – 4:00 p.m. EST – Dalton State and University of the Cumberlands