Milligan, TN – The CIU men's basketball team traveled to Tennessee on Saturday to compete in an AAC matchup versus Milligan College. The Rams entered the contest coming off a memorable win over Allen University on Wednesday night. However, CIU would be unable to continue their winning ways and fell to the Buffaloes 74-70.

How It Happened

First Half CIU 33 MC 31: The lead would change multiple times throughout the beginning of the first half until a quick 7-point spurt from Arthur Pearson put the Rams up 17-11. The Buffs would come back to tie the game at 19-19 and then again at 24-24. Elijah Spalding would be a bright spot off the bench, scoring twice inside in the waning moments of the second half. The half would end on an Arthur Pearson three-pointer, which gave the Rams a 33-31 halftime lead.

Second Half MC 74 CIU 70: CIU was led by Spalding, and Pearson in a back and forth start to the half. The Rams would finally pull ahead off a Tajae Anderson three-pointer 50-48 just under the 11:00 minute mark. The Rams would take as much as a six-point lead only to relinquish it and then regain control again on an Eric Graham bucket 64-61, with 3:20 left in the game. Unfortunately, for the Rams, it would be their last lead of the game and would stumble in the final minutes 74-70 to the Buffs.

Game Notes

• Arthur Pearson has brought a much-needed spark of late for CIU and recorded 17 points on the night for the Rams.
• Jeff McIlwain was solid for the Rams with 10 points and 8 rebounds while Eric Graham poured in 12 points shooting 50% from deep.
• The Rams were outshot from deep one of the first times this season as the Buffs hit nine long balls compared to eight from the Rams.

Up Next

CIU heads to back Tennessee to take on Tennessee Wesleyan next Saturday at 4 p.m.