Columbia International University Athletics

After dropping a tough game to Pfeiffer University on Thursday, the Rams were back on the court at home looking to get back in the win column. The Rams came into the game 3-11, while their opponent Toccoa Falls College came into 0-8. It was a dog fight throughout much of the game, but a late scoring run propelled the Rams to a 75-66 victory.

Juraj Rovis would get the Rams off to a great start as he scored the Rams first four points off assists from Druw Rollings and Micah Banks. A three by Damian Hurta would build the Rams a 7-2 lead. However, the Screaming Eagles would pull to within one point over the next two minutes. On the Rams next possession they were able to work the ball around and find an open Damarcus Gay who hit a three to give the Rams a 10-6 lead. The two teams would battle, but the Rams got a little breathing room as they pushed their lead to seven thanks to a free throw from Jacob Cook with just over eleven minutes left in the half. 

With just under seven minutes remaining in the half, the Screaming Eagles were able to tie the game at 21 after Kevin Cave hit a three. After that three the Rams went on an 8-0 scoring run lead by six points from Rollings. The Screaming Eagles weren't going away however, they went on a 6-0 run themselves to trim the Rams lead to two. The teams would go back and forth for the rest of the half as the Screaming Eagles would sink two free throws late in the half. At the half the Rams took a slim 34-33 lead.

The Screaming Eagles would score the first points of the second half and take their first lead of the game as well. However, on the Rams next possession Rovis was able to convert in the paint and give the Rams the lead once again. The Screaming Eagles would fight back as they tied the game at 40 before they once again took the lead, 42-40. Two straight layups from Gabe Kirk would give the Rams the lead once again. The game would continue to be a tight one as neither team was able to pull away from one another. The Rams once again pushed their lead to eight, 59-51, after a three from Zachary Baker.

The Rams lead was not safe though, the Screaming Eagles would come fighting back as they trimmed the Rams lead to one point with just three minutes and thirty seconds remaining. The Rams would go on a late 10-2 run to propel them to a 75-66 victory.

Columbia International shot 42.9% (24-of-56) for the game and were 20-of-30 from the free throw line...Toccoa Falls shot 41.4%(24-of-58) from the field and were 6-of-21 from beyond the arch...The Rams set a season high in blocks today as they had eight...The Rams also held a slight 36-35 edge in rebounds...Micah Banks led the Rams with 19 points to go along with seven rebounds, five steals and four assists...Gabe Kirk had a double-double as he had 13 points and pulled down 10 rebounds, while blocking four shots...Damarcus Gay had one of his best games as he had 13 points and eight rebounds...Juraj Rovis was the last Ram in double figures with 10...Kevin Cave led the Screaming Eagles with 18 points.

"The guys played a good game today and it was nice to get back in the win column, said Head Coach Marshall Tague." "I'm proud of the guys as we took care of the ball today with only nine turnovers. Limiting the turnovers really helped us get better possessions. We travel to Toccoa on Tuesday to take them on again so many things will stay the same, but traveling to somewhere new always makes the game tougher, but we will be ready for the fight."

The Rams will be back in action on Tuesday as they take on Toccoa Falls at 7 p.m.