NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Chatham Men's Basketball (8-2, 5-1) secured a 62-60 victory over the Carthage Firebirds (7-3, 2-0) in the Cougars' first game of the Music City Classic on Thursday.

Lovenson Xavier tallied his first career double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds on the night. Simon Boyer scored 14 points on 5-9 shooting including three three-pointers, while Blaine Gartley contributed six points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Diaun Pinkett finished the day with nine points, eight rebounds, three steals and two assists.

Chatham got out to a 3-0 lead after Luca Robinson knocked down a three on their first possession. Both offenses started off slow after that, with just 11 points in the first five minutes of the game as Carthage held a 6-5 lead. Then, a 7-0 Cougar run that featured baskets from Xavier, Pinkett and Easton Fulmer made it 12-6 in favor of Chatham. The Firebirds then used a 9-2 run to go ahead 15-14, but back-to-back triples from Boyer allowed the Cougars to regain the lead. Carthage cut it to a one-point game before Chatham put together a 12-2 run to take a 32-21 lead. The Firebirds ended the half on a 6-2 run, but the Cougars held the 34-27 lead at the break.

Carthage scored the first five points out of the break to cut the lead to two, but a 13-6 swing from Chatham later in the half grew the lead back to nine points. The Firebirds were able to cut it back to a two-point game with 3:35 left thanks to an extended 15-8 run, then a one-point game in the final minute, but were unable to tie the game at any point.

Chatham shot 44.1% (26-59) from the field, while Carthage shot just 32.9% (23-70). Rebounds were 44-42 in favor of the Firebirds.

Chatham Men's Basketball returns tomorrow against Lancaster Bible College for their second and final game of the Music City Classic.