After winning on Thursday the Columbia International University Men's Basketball team was back on the court as they returned to conference play. The Eagles of Reinhardt University made the trip to CIU for the first meeting between the two teams. The teams went toe-to-toe all game, but a late surge by the Eagles lifted them past the Rams. With the loss the Rams fall to 7-7 on the season.

1st Half Highlights:

• The Eagles opened the game scoring the first five points, but Tajae Anderson would get the Rams on the board off an assist from Damian Hurta
• The Eagles would take a ten point lead six minutes into the game
• Eric Graham would come off the bench for the Rams and score the next five points for the team to pull them within four
• Another three by Brandon Doss would pull the Rams back within three for the first time since the opening minutes
• The Eagles would fight back and regain a ten point lead at the 8:48 mark
• The Rams and Eagles would trade baskets, but the Rams pulled closer after Arthur Pearson and Tajae Anderson were able to connect for Anderson to hit a three
• With two seconds let in the half, Pearson and Anderson were back at with Anderson hitting another three 
• At the half the Rams trailed the Eagles 49-47

2nd Half Highlights:

• The Rams started the second half strong as they tied the game for the first time off a layup by Jeff McIlwain
• McIlwain used his size to his advantage as he grabbed two offensive rebounds and put them back up to give the Rams a 53-52 lead
• The Eagles would take back the lead from the Rams and push it back to six points
• The Eagles would take another double digit lead, but a two by Pearson trimmed it back to eight points
• With just under six minutes left McIlwain was able to convert on a layup after a pass from Pearson
• The Eagles coach would receive a technical after a foul was called on his team. Graham stepped to the line for the two technical foul free throws and sunk them both, next up was McIlwain and he sunk both of his to pull the Rams within four
• Pearson would score on the Rams next possession and the Rams were within two with only 4:26 left
• Just twenty-six seconds and a Eagles basket after, Damian Hurta hit a three to pull the Rams within one of the Eagles
• The Eagles would surge in the final three minutes to defeat the Rams 97-86

Box Score Highlights:

• The Rams had a good night on offense as they shot 44.8% (30-of-67) from the field and were 15-of-20 from the free throw line, while the Eagles shot 52.1% from the floor and were 11-of-25 from beyond the arch...The Rams had 21 assists...The Rams also held a small 38-37 rebounding advantage over the Eagles...Eric Graham led the Rams with 21 points and chipped in with three rebounds...Jeff McIlwain had a double-double as he finished with 17 points and 14 rebounds...Arthur Pearson was just short of a triple double as he finished with 16 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists...Tajae Anderson was the last Ram in double figures with 12 points...Samuel Bunkley led the Eagles with 25 points and five rebounds

Up Next: The Rams will be back on the court Tuesday against Point University at 7:30 pm.