The Columbia International University Men's Basketball team was having a great week coming into Saturday with wins over Point and Montreat already. The Rams welcomed Truett-McConnell University to campus today looking to avenge an early season loss to the Bears. The Rams got out in front early in the first half, but the Bears fought back. However, the Rams stayed solid down the stretch and won their third conference game in a row 78-73. With the win the Rams move to 10-7 (5-6 AAC), while the Bears fall to 10-8 (5-7 AAC).

1st Half Highlights:

• Arthur Pearson started the game off strong for the Rams as he hit a three to open the game
• The Bears would hit a three just eighteen seconds later to tie the game
• Corey Benton would hit back to back threes off assists Tajae Anderson and Pearson
• The Rams continued to knock down shots by Jeff McIlwain and two threes by Eric Graham to take a double digit lead, 23-11
• The Rams would take their biggest lead of the half with 8:28 left in the half after points by Brandon Doss, McIlwain, and Graham
• A three by Zach Norris just over a minute later gave the Rams a 33-15
• The Rams continued to hold onto their double digit lead and led by 14 with just a minute and a half left
• At the half the Rams led the Bears 41-31

2nd Half Highlights:

• The Bears opened the half with the first five points to pull within five of the Rams
• Benton would hit another three to give the Rams their first points of the half
• The Rams would regain their double digit lead on a layup by McIlwain
• The two teams would go back and forth, but the Bears scored a little more to pull within three of the Rams
• The Rams would push their lead back to nine after another layup by McIlwain
• With 3:21 left in the game the Bears would force a Rams turnover and pull within two, but the Rams would match the Bears with a layup by Graham and a free throw by Anderson
• McIlwain would ice the game with two free throws to give the Rams a78-73 victory

Box Score Highlights:

• The Rams shot the ball well as they shot 44.3% (27-of-61) from the floor and were 12-of-24 from beyond the arch, while the Bears shot 42% and were 9-of-22 from the three point line...The Rams passed the ball around and dished out 20 assists to only 11 turnovers...The Rams also forced the Bears into turnovers...The Rams bench helped them with 40 points...Corey Benton led the Rams with 21 points and had three assists...Jeff McIlwain had 18 points and nine rebounds off the bench and Eric Graham had 17 points on 6-of-8 shooting from the three point line...Arthur Pearson had a solid game with nine points, six rebounds, and six assists...Christian Davis led the Bears with 22 points

Up Next: The Rams will hit the road looking for their fourth straight conference win as they take on Milligan College at 7:30 pm.