COLUMBIA, SC – The CIU men's basketball team took on the Brewton-Parker Barons for the second time this season. The first meeting which came just over two weeks ago resulted in a Rams double-digit win, and tonight would be no different. CIU knocked off the Barons 90-72 with a second-half surge to move to 3-3 on the season.

How It Happened:

1st Half CIU 43 BPC 32: The Rams started the first half up 10-2 after a Jeff McIlwain finish inside. The Barons would bounce back to cut the lead to 10-8 until a three by freshman Skyler McKinney pushed the lead back to 5. The game would turn into a back and forth affair with each team grabbing slim leads and then relinquishing the advantage. The Rams would trail by three with just under 7:00 minutes in the first half when Eric Graham would knock down a big three to once again give the Rams the lead. CIU would let up, finishing the half on a 9-0 run to stay ahead of Brewton-Parker 43-32.

2nd Half CIU 90 BPC 72: CIU would slowly begin to extend their lead in the second half behind solid play from McIlwain. The big man would score inside and from the charity stripe, and the Barons could do little to stop him. Despite the Rams leading by as much as 14, Brewton-Parker would chip away and cut the lead to 75-70 with the 3:00 minutes remaining. However, just like the first half the Rams would end the game on a massive 15-2 run capped off by a left-hand throw-down by Eric Graham to give the Rams the 90-72 win.

Game Notes:

• Jeff McIlwain had his second consecutive double-double with 21-points and 15 rebounds
• The Rams had four of their starters in double figures, including McIlwain, Graham, Skyler McKinney, and Corey Benton.
• CIU once again hit double-digit threes on the evening knocking down 11.

Coach Stockman Quotables

"We are trying to learn from our loss to St. Andrews; it is still early in the season, so there is a lot we are still learning about this team. We are trying to do a better job guarding the ball, and I thought we did pretty well at that tonight. Defensive is all about competing and not being outworked, and our guys buckled down and did what they needed to do to get the win."

Looking forward to Kentucky Christian

"Kentucky Christian is a good team. I know them from my time at Ohio Christian, and they are always a tough matchup. It's a quick turnaround, but our guys will be ready for it, and if we hit shots and work on defensive, we will be successful. 

Up Next 

CIU hosts Kentucky Christian tomorrow at 4 PM.