Columbia International University Athletics

After picking up a win in a tournament this past weekend the Columbia International University men's basketball team was looking to pick up another. The Rams welcomed their rivals from up the road in Bob Jones University. The first half was hard fought and intense, but a slow second half sunk the Rams and the Bruins won 82-68. The Rams fall to 6-13 on the year, while the Bruins move to 12-10.

The Bruins would jump out in front first and the teams battled as the Bruins lead never got above three points. The Rams would take their first lead of the game at the 15:56 mark after a jumper from Juraj Rovis. The Bruins would regain the lead and hold onto it for another five minutes. Damian Hurta grabbed a defensive rebound and Micah Banks was able to push it down the court and find an open Hurta for a three. That three gave the Rams a 20-18 lead. The Rams would hold onto the lead over the next three minutes before the Bruins tied it and then retook the lead on their next possession. The two teams would trade baskets and the lead over their next couple possessions, but at the 3:19 mark the Bruins would grab the lead again. The Rams would pull within one, but went into the half down 42-41.

Before the Rams were able to score their first points of the second half the Bruins opened on an 8-0 run. Damarcus Gay would stop the run with a layup and Zachary Baker would follow with a three to cut the Bruins lead to four. The Bruins would run their lead to eight again, but the Rams would cut it to three, Unfortunately, the Bruins would start to take over and run their lead to double figures on multiple occasions. The Rams would try to get back in the game, but the Bruins shot lights out and the Rams struggled to keep up. When the clock hit zeroes the Rams fell 82-68.

Columbia International shot 44.8% (26-of-58) from the field and were 10-of-13 from the free throw line...Bob Jones shot 59.6% (31-of-52) for the game and were 9-of-19 from beyond the arc...The Bruins held a 32-26 rebounding advantage over the Rams...The Rams had 36 points in the paint and got 27 points from players off the bench...Micah Banks led the Rams with 18 points with five assists and four rebounds...Zachary Baker had 11 points...Jacob Cook had 10 points off the bench as well as four rebounds...Juraj Rovis was the last Ram in double figures with 10 points...Justin Matthew had a game high 30 points.

"The guys battled tonight and never gave up," said Head Coach Marshall Tague. "We have a young team that pushed themselves tonight and it wasn't the outcome we wanted, but we can take some thing away from it and grow. Credit to Bob Jones they have a good team, but now it's time for us to get ready for our game on Thursday at Morris College."

The Rams will be back in action on Thursday as they travel to Sumter, SC to take on Morris College at 7 p.m.