COLUMBIA, SC – After a decisive win on Thursday over Point University, the CIU men's basketball team picked up another crucial win over Bryan College 84-62. The win moved the Rams up another notch in the AAC standings from 6th to 5th. CIU moved to 11-5 overall, and 8-5 in the conference, most importantly, they moved closer to an AAC playoff.

How It Happened:

First Half CIU 46 BC 21: The first half stayed closely contested throughout the first 9:00 minutes of the game. However, an Arthur Pearson deep three-pointer would give CIU its early double-digit lead of the game, 22-11, with 10:53 remaining in the half. The Rams would then go on to open the game wide open on five straight threes from Pearson, Eric Graham, and Corey Benton. The Rams firepower would overwhelm the Lions, and CIU would lead 46-21 at the halftime after yet another Benton three-pointer in the waning seconds of the first half. Pearson and Graham both scored 8 points in the half while Benton put up a team-high 13 points. The trio combined for seven three-pointers in the first 20:00 minutes of the game.

Second Half CIU 84 BC 62: The second half saw much of the same from the Rams. CIU consistently held a 20-point plus lead throughout the half. The Rams would once again be led by Pearson, who scored 8 points in the half. Tajae Anderson helped keep the Rams in front, notching 5 points off the bench in the second while Rick Newman contributed to the Rams cause with four points off the bench as well. The Lions would get as close as 18-points, but CIU would cruise to an 84-62 win.

Game Notes

• Senior Arthur Pearson led the Rams with 18 points shooting a superb 60% from the field.
• Corey Benton scored 15-points while draining 3 three-pointers.
• The glass was again owned by CIU big Jeff McIlwain, who pulled down 10 rebounds.
• The Rams doubled up the Lions bench points 46 to 23.

What Coach Stockman is saying:

"I am really proud of our guys' focus on defense today. Our attention to detail with the game plan was excellent. On offense, we shared the ball well and executed our plays at a high level."

Up Next:

The Rams host crosstown rival Allen University on Wednesday, January 15th, in a critical AAC contest.