Columbia International University Athletics

Greenville, SC -- The Columbia International University men's basketball team took to the road to take on in-state rival Bob Jones University. The Rams were looking to get back on track and the Bruins were looking to win their eleventh straight game. The Rams fought the Bruins until the final second, but the Bruins won 103-99.

The Basics

• Score: CIU 99 / BJU 103
• Records: CIU 6-20 / BJU 18-10
• Location: Greenville, SC

How it Happened:

• In the first two and a half minutes the Rams would take an early 4-2 lead after a layup from Gabe Kirk. The Rams keep the lead and lead 13-4 at the 15:38 mark. The Bruins would take the lead back from the Rams after a layup from Nate Ellenwood. The teams would go back and forth as the game was tied on eight occasions from the 11:09 mark to the 2:45 mark. Finally at the 2:43 mark the Rams reclaimed the lead (41-40) after a free throw by Damarcus Gay. However, the Bruins would regain the lead and take a 48-42 at the half.
• The Bruins would open the second half on a 6-0 run to push their lead to double figures, 54-42. The Rams would battle and trimmed the lead to single digits with a layup by Gay. With 11:56 left in the game Micah Banks was able to cut the Bruins deficit to two, 71-69. The two teams would go back and forth, but the Bruins would hold onto a slim lead. Juraj Rovis gave the Rams their first lead since the first half, 90-88, with 4:28 to play. The Bruins would regain the lead and then the Rams took the lead back on a layup by Gay. The Bruins would tie the game twice and then the Rams would take the lead back on three occasions. With 1:22 remaining the Bruins would take a 99-96 lead. The Rams pulled within one with fifteen seconds remaining after a three point play by Micah Banks. However, over the final fifteen seconds the Bruins would hold onto the lead and win by the final score of 103-99.

Inside the Columbia International Box Score:

• The Rams shot 45.3% (34-of-75) from the field and were 14-of-29 from beyond the arch
• The Rams also dished out 21 assists compared to just five turnovers
• Damarcus Gay had a career day as he scored a team high 32 points to go along with four rebounds and four assists
• Jacob Cook had a double-double with 15 points and 10 assists
• Damian Hurta and Micah Banks each reached double figures with 15 and 11 points respectively

Inside the Bob Jones Box Score:

• The Bruins shot 54.2% (32-of-59) from the floor and were 30-of-41 from the free throw line
• Nate Ellenwood had a game high 38 points with 13 rebounds and seven assists
• Jayson Barnhart had 21 points for the Bruins
• The Bruins had three others reach double figures with Quez Fisher recording a double-double

Up Next:

• Columbia International will be back in action on Tuesday when the Rams host Crown College at 6 p.m.