COLUMBIA, SC:  Coming off a quick turn-around versus Charleston Southern University the night before the CIU Men's Basketball team would face Allen University Wednesday night. The matchup was the first Appalachian Athletic Conference game for both teams. CIU entered the contest 2-0 against the Yellow Jackets during the previous season. The Rams also came into the matchup with a perfect 2-0 record on the young 2019-20 campaign. 

How It Happened
The contest stayed tight from the opening tip with the Rams' largest lead coming at 4-points. However, Allen would lead going into halftime 33-30. Freshman Skyler McKinney led the Rams with 12 points in the half on 4 of 7 shooting. Corey Benton chipped 9 points in the first while Tajae Anderson scored 6.

Down The Stretch
The Rams would find themselves deadlocked at 47-47 with Allen halfway through half number two. The Yellow Jackets surged ahead 52-51, but a fast break and-one layup by Corey Benton would give the lead back to the Rams. Allen and CIU would trade baskets until a Jeff McIlwain layup off the Eric Graham assist gave CIU the 59-57 advantage with 7:58 remaining in the contest. CIU would be unable to hold the lead, and Allen would go ahead by 4-points just under the 5:00 minute mark. On the ensuing possession, Benton would drill a deep three over an Allen defender to cut the lead to 65-64.

CIU would stay close, but Allen would steadily pull away, leading 72-68 with just over a minute left in regulation. Then freshman Skyler McKinney would hit an enormous fall-away three with a hand in his face to cut the lead to 72-71. Allen would answer with a traditional three-point play, but Eric Graham would come right back with a three-pointer of his own to trim the Yellow Jacket lead to just 1. CIU would foul, and Allen made the front end of the one and one putting the score at 76-74 with 18 seconds left. Out of a CIU timeout, CIU would find Tajae Anderson, who scored inside to tie the game. Unfortunately, the Rams would pick up a foul with .7 seconds remaining, and Allen would make one of two free throws to win it 77-76.

Game Notes

• Including last night's exhibition against Charleston Southern, freshman Skyler McKinney has led the Rams in scoring in their last three contests. McKinney poured in 24 points on 9 of 16 shooting, including four three-pointers.
• 2018-19 leading scorer Corey Benton continues his solid start to the season with 18 points
• CIU continues to outshoot their opponents from beyond the arc. The Rams shot 46% from deep on 12 made threes. CIU held the Yellow Jackets to just for 4 of 11 from outside.

 
Up Next
The Rams head to Macon, GA, to go up against NCAA Division I foe Mercer University on Friday at 1 PM on ESPN+.