For the first time in the history of the program the Columbia International University Men's Basketball team got the opportunity to play in the NCCAA South Region Championship game. The Rams made it to the game after winning last night and today the Rams took on the Cougars of Carver College. The winner of the game got the automatic berth to the NCCAA National Championships in Indiana. The Rams dominated the first half on their way to a 91-72 victory over the Cougars. With the win the Rams won the first ever region championship in school history!

1st Half Highlights:

• Over the first two minutes of the game the Rams jumped out to an early 6-0 lead off layups by Jeff McIlwain and Corey Benton
• Over the next four minutes the Rams would race out to a double digit lead with a layup by Tyrone Dantzler Jr.
• The Rams would continue to hold onto their double digits lead with Tajae Anderson hitting three straight free throws
• With five minutes left in the half the Rams took a 24 point lead off back-to-back baskets by Benton and Anderson
• The Cougars trimmed the lead below twenty points with three and half minutes left in the half
• The Rams closed out the half with a three by Kyren Bolden as the clock hit zeroes
• At the half the Rams were up 43-19 and limited the Cougars to a shooting percentage of 20% at the break

2nd Half Highlights:

• The Cougars scored the first four points out of the half, but two free throws by Benton and a three by Bolden gave the Rams a 25 point lead
• Over the next couple minute the teams would trade baskets, but the Cougars cut the lead to 18 with fifteen minutes left in the half
• After a free throw and a layup the Cougars had the lead down to 16, but five straight point by Dantzler gave the Rams a 21 point lead back
• The Cougars tried to fight back and with just about twelve minutes left the Cougars were able to come back within 15
• Two straight threes by Anderson and Benton then a layup by McIlwain gave the Rams a twenty point lead
• Six straight points by the Cougars brought them within 14 with a little over eight minutes left on the clock
• The teams would go back and forth trading baskets as the Rams weren't able to push to a bigger lead, but the Cougars weren't able to trim the lead any lower
• The Rams continued to hold onto their double digit lead as the game came down to the end with Jeff McIlwain scoring the last points of the game
• The Rams would go on to win 91-72 and win the first ever NCCAA South Region Championship

Box Score Highlights:

• The Rams shot 43.8% (28-of-64) from the field and were 27-of-34 from the charity stripe...The Cougars shot 37.5% for the game and were only 2-of-10 from the three point line...The Rams dished out 17 assists over the full forty minutes and forced the Cougars into 25 turnovers...The Cougars led the game with 50 rebounds compared to the Rams 31...The Rams had four players in double figures with Tajae Anderson leading the way with 25 points, four rebounds, and four assists...Corey Benton had 23 points, seven assists, and three rebounds...Jeff McIlwain had a solid game in the paint with 13 points and six rebounds...Tyrone Dantzler Jr. chipped in 10 points and three rebounds off the bench...Jalan Strong led the Cougars with 23 points and 10 rebounds

Up Next: The Rams will be moving onto the NCCAA National Championships that will take place Wednesday March 13 through Saturday March 16. The Rams will wait to see who their opponent is after the entire field is set. Stay tuned for updates on the Rams next game.