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Columbia International University Athletics

Jeff_Allen
68
Allen (S.C.) AU
73
Winner Columbia International (S CIU
Allen (S.C.) AU
68
Final
73
Columbia International (S CIU
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Allen (S.C.) AU 37 31 68
Columbia International (S CIU 40 33 73

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | gfrierson

McIlwain and Benton Lead Rams Past Allen University

COLUMBIA, SC – After a decisive win on Saturday, the CIU men's basketball team picked up a clutch win over crosstown AAC rival Allen University on Wednesday night. The win moved the Rams up to 9-5 in the conference and one game back from the second place Montreat Cavaliers. CIU now boasts a 12-5 overall record while Allen University falls to 11-6 overall.

How it Happened:

First Half CIU 40 AU 37: The Rams were bolstered from the tip by junior Corey Benton, who would knock down three early threes to give the Rams a 19-9 lead 6:00 minutes in. The Yellow Jackets would settle down, however, and claw their way back to tie the game at 23-23 just under the 10:00 minute mark. Allen would surge ahead to take the lead until back to back threes from Eric Graham gave the Rams back the advantage. The game would stay tight the rest of the half, and CIU would lead 40-37 at the break. Benton would lead all scorers at halftime with 15 points shooting 5-6 from deep.

Second Half CIU 73 AU 68: The Rams would start the half with a three from Eric Graham, but CIU would be unable to extend their advantage through the opening minutes. Finally, a deep jumper from Arthur Pearson would force an Allen timeout and push the Rams ahead 52-49 at the 12:00 minute mark. Down the stretch, the Rams would be led by big man Jeff McIlwain who scored inside while collecting multiple offensive rebounds. However, the Rams would find themselves in a battle with the Yellow Jackets in the waning moments of the game. With just under 1:00 minute remaining and the game tied at 66-66, Corey Benton would drill deep heave from just inside the half-court circle to give the Rams a 69-66 lead. The shot would take the life out of Allen, and CIU would squeak out a 73-68 win.

Hear from Coach Stockman on the win:


 

Game Notes:

  • Corey Benton led the Rams in scoring with 19 points while knocking down six three-pointers and recording 9 boards
  • The Rams again were paced by senior Jeff McIlwain, who scored 18 points and pulled down 8 rebounds while also shooting a perfect 6-6 from the foul line.
  • The Rams connected on twelve triples compared to one three-pointer from the Yellow Jackets.
  • CIU now sits in third place in the AAC, their highest spot ever in the conference standings.

Up Next

CIU will head to Tennessee to play another AAC contest against Milligan College on Saturday, January 18th.

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