Columbia International University Athletics

The Columbia International University men's basketball team was back in action tonight after having off for Christmas break. The first half was slow moving as each team struggled from the floor, but the second half was a different story as the offenses came to life. The Rams would shot 57% in the second half to propel them to a 74-62 victory. With win the Rams move to 3-10 on the season, while the Eagles fall to 2-10.

The Eagles would jump out in front early with the games first two points, but Juraj Rovis would give the Rams their first two points of the game. The Eagles would then take a 6-2 lead, but a three point play by Micah Banks would pull the Rams within one. The two teams would continue to battle, but the Eagles always maintained a small lead. The Rams would take their first lead of the game at the 11:31 mark after a layup from Banks. The Rams would build their lead to six, 19-13, after another three point play from Banks. With under a minute to play in the first half the Eagles would regain the lead after a layup. The Rams would score on their final possessions thanks to Gabe Kirk. The teams would go into the break tied at 25.

The Eagles would score the first points of the second half, but this time they would score the first four and take an early lead. Druw Rollings would hit a three for the Rams to cut the lead back to one. At the 15:49 mark the Eagles would take their biggest lead of the game as they lead the Rams by eight, 38-30. The Rams would go on a 7-0 run with baskets by Christian Williams, Andrew Barnes, and Banks. The Rams would retake the lead at 14:00 after the three from Barnes. The Eagle would once again take the lead after they hit a three, but after that the Rams came to life. With a ton of energy and passion the Rams would go on an 8-0 run to take a 50-44 lead. The Eagles would trim the lead to one with just over nine minutes remaining. The Rams would start to really attack the paint as they found a weakness in the Eagles defense. Over the next minute and a half Banks and Kirk would attack the paint and build the Rams lead to seven. The Eagles weren't done fighting yet as they took the lead back from the Rams with just over five minutes remaining. A suffocating defense and consistent offense lead the Rams on another run as they got points from Barnes, Rovis, Kirk, and Banks. The dagger came with just under a minute and a half remaining. Banks was able to drive to the basket, but as the defense came in he kicked the ball out to Williams who hit a three to give the Rams a cushion that the Eagles couldn't overcome. As the clock hits zeroes the Rams opened the New Year with a 74-62 victory.

Columbia International shot 40% (24-of-60) from the field, while Pensacola shot 33.3% (21-of-63) for the game...After not hitting any threes in the first half the Rams hit five in the second half and were 5-of-14 from three, while the Eagles were 6-of-24 from beyond the arch...Each team shot 77.8% from the free throw line...Micah Banks led the Rams as he had a career high 24 points to go along with nine assists and six rebounds...Gabe Kirk almost had a double-double as he had 14 points, eight rebounds, and four blocks off the bench...Druw Rollings was the last Rams in double figures with 12 points...Juraj Rovis finished with nine, Christian Williams had eight, while Andrew Barnes had seven...The Rams also forced the Eagles into 21 turnovers...The Eagles were led by Marlon Gardner with 12 points, while Dakota Pratt had a double-double with 11 points and 14 rebounds.

"I'm really proud of the guys they came out hungry tonight and were looking for a victory to kick off the new year, said Head Coach Marshall Tague. "When the guys came in after the break they were ready to get going and that show tonight as they played with a lot of energy. This is a great win for us, but we have a solid opponent in Pfeiffer University on Thursday.

Columbia International will travel to Pfeiffer University on Thursday for a 7 p.m. game. After that game the Rams will return home on Saturday to take on Toccoa Falls at 3 p.m.