Columbia International University Athletics

The Columbia International University men's basketball saw their winning streak come to an end last night at the hands of Berkeley College. However, the Rams were back on the court today looking to get back in the win column. Today the Rams took on the Centurions of Carolina Christian College. The Centurions dropped their tournament opener last night as well so both teams were looking to pick up a win at the tournament. It was a battle throughout, but in the end the Rams were victorious with the final score of 72-66. With the win the Rams move to 6-12 on the season, while the Centurions drop to 6-8.

The Rams would score the first points of the game as Druw Rollings was able to convert a layup off a pass from Juraj Rovis. Over the next three minutes the Rams would go cold and the Centurions would take a 5-2 lead. The Rams next points came from the duo of Rollings and Rovis again, but this time it was Rovis with the basket. Just twenty seconds after they pulled within one point, the Rams took the lead on two free throw from Rollings. Over the next eleven minutes the teams would go back and forth as there were seven lead changes.

With 4:22 remaining in the half the Centurions would take a 23-21 lead. The Centurions would hold onto the lead until halftime, but the Rams would cut the lead to two points on multiple occasions. As the teams went into the break the Rams were down 35-31.

The Rams must have passed around the secret stuff from Space Jam at halftime because they came out of the half on fire. Over the first four minutes of the half the Rams went on a 12-0 run to take a 43-35 lead. The Rams had three different players score on the run as Damarcus Gay and Micah Banks each had five points, while Rollings chipped in the other two. After the Centurions snapped the Rams run they went on a 11-0 run to regain the lead, 46-43. 

The two teams would go back and forth as the Rams tied the game twice, but each time the Centurions would regain the lead. At the 8:12 mark Rovis was able to convert a layup in the paint and give the Rams a 52-50 lead. This was the key point in the game as the Rams would hold onto the lead for the rest of the game and when the clock hit zeroes the Rams walked off the court with a 72-66 victory.

Columbia International shot 35% (21-of-60) from the field and were 24-of-30 from the charity stripe...Carolina Christian shot 31.9% (23-of-72) for the game and were 12-of-20 from the free throw line...The Centurions held a slight 43-41 rebounding edge over the Rams...Druw Rollings had a double-double as he had 15 points and 12 rebounds...Micah Banks chipped in with 14 points, four assists, and three rebounds...Damarcus Gay was a perfect 8-fo-8 from the free throw line as he finished with 10 points and five rebounds...Zachary Baker chipped in with 9 points, and Juraj Rovis and Damian Hurta each had eight points...Austin Robinson led the Centurions with 20 points.

Columbia International will be back in action on Tuesday as they host Bob Jones University at 7:30 p.m. The game will be a whiteout so wear white and come cheer on your Rams!