COLUMBIA, SC – The CIU Rams Men's basketball team shocked the No. 21 ranked Union College Bulldogs Saturday night as they defeated the reigning AAC champions. The win gave CIU its first victory of over an NAIA ranked opponent in program history. The Rams (7-4) dropped both contests to the Bulldogs (7-5) last season. Saturday's game would follow a different pattern; however, as CIU controlled the game throughout on their way to 76-66 statement win over Union.
How It Happened
First Half CIU 33 UC 27: The Rams started the first half hot, quickly jumping out to an 8-2 lead over the Bulldogs behind deep balls from Cory Benton and Eric Graham. The Rams would hold a six-point cushion throughout most of the first half. A critical factor in the advantage would be big man Elijah Spalding who battled hard on the offensive glass giving the Rams multiple second-chance opportunities. A three-pointer by John Johnson would end the half on a positive note for the Rams as they took a 33-27 lead into the break.
Second Half CIU 76 UC 66: Half number two would start with a Skyler McKinney three-pointer but Union would get as close as 39-38 at the 15:00 minute mark. The game would stay tight with the Rams holding to a slim lead until grad transfer John Johnson caught fire. With the Rams only leading 46-45 Johnson would score an unbelievable 11-points in 69 seconds to open up the game for the Rams 57-50. Union would fight to come back, but the Rams would hold off the Bulldogs behind the free throw shooting of Jeff McIlwain down the stretch. CIU would pull out the win 76-66.
Game Notes
- Coach Tony Stockman picked up his first win over a ranked opponent as the head coach of CIU and his second over Union College all-time.
- John Johnson scored 14-points, 11 of which came in a 69-second span.
- Senior Jeff McIlwain continued his dominant season in the paint with 14 points and 8 rebounds.
- Elijah Spalding shot a perfect 5-5 from the field and had his second consecutive game in double figures with 10 points.
Coach Stockman Postgame
Up Next
CIU will host Bluefield College next Saturday, December 14th.
