Columbia International University Athletics

The Columbia International University men's basketball team traveled to Georgia this afternoon to take on the Lions of Emmanuel College. This was the Rams last game of 2017. The team dropped their third straight game as the Lions won 88-55.

The Rams started off slow this afternoon as the Lions went on a 17-4 run in the first seven minutes of the game. The Rams then went on a 9-0 run over the next four minutes to cut the Lions lead to four. During the run the Rams got points from Druw Rollings, Christian Williams, and Juraj Rovis. Just before the six minute mark the Lions would take an eight point lead, but after five straight points from Tyrone Dantzler Jr. the Rams were back within three.The two teams would continue to go back and forth as the Lions would grow the lead a little, but on multiple occasions the Rams would trim the lead to three.  Micah Banks would score with just three seconds left and the Rams would go into the half down by five, 33-28.

Just nineteen seconds into the second half the Rams would cut the deficit to two thanks to a three from Dantzler Jr. This was the closest the Rams would get to taking the lead. Over the next four minutes the Lions would grow their lead to double digits as the Rams went cold from the field. The Lions would keep a double digit lead throughout the rest of the game as the Rams were unable to claw their way back into the game. As the final horn sounded the Rams fell to a fellow NCCAA South Region foe.

"This is one of the better teams that we have played all year," said Head Coach Marshall Tague. "Our guys battled throughout the whole game and we had a good first half, but Emmanuel is a strong and deep team and they took advantage of that in the second half."

Columbia International shot 42.6% (23-54) from the field, including 6-21 from the three point line...Emmanuel shot 47.9% (34-71) and just 13-37 from three point range...The Rams dished out 12 assists on their 23 made baskets...Druw Rollings led the Rams with 15 points to go with six rebounds...Tyrone Dantzler Jr. had 14 points with seven rebounds...Juraj Rovis was the last Ram in double figures with 11, while Christian Williams had a collegiate high seven points...Derek Vandiver led the Lions with 15 points, while Kurtis Robinson had 14 points and 11 rebounds.

Columbia International will now have a break until the New Year. The Rams will be back in action on January 9 as they open up the second semester against Pensacola Christian College.