COLUMBIA, SC – The CIU men's basketball team started 2020 just like they ended 2019, winning basketball games. The Rams picked up another win over an Appalachian Athletic Conference opponent knocking off the Truett-McConnell University Bears 78-74 Thursday night. With the win the Rams extended their conference winning streak to five games in a row. CIU moved to 8-4 overall with the victory while Truett-McConnell fell to 6-9 overall.

How It Happened

1st Half CIU 31 TMU 30: The game would stay close throughout the first half; however, the Rams would take their largest lead of the half 11-5 off an Eric Graham three-pointer 5:00 minutes into the contest. The Bears would regain the advantage deeper into the game 17-16 until sharpshooting from Graham, and Corey Benton would push the Rams back in front. CIU would attempt to extend their slim advantage behind four points off dribble drives from Arthur Pearson, but CIU would find themselves deadlocked 29-29 with just over a minute remaining in the half. Both teams would score before the break, and the Rams would hold a narrow one-point lead at halftime 31-30.

2nd Half CIU 78 TMU 74: Jeff McIlwain would score to start of the second half for the Rams as the senior big man once again would step up to lead the Rams when needed most. However, despite dominant play from the center inside, the Rams would find themselves tied with the Bears three different times in the first 10:00 minutes of the second half. McIlwain would score six straight, and Darian Oates would finish a tough and-one, but the Rams would be unable to shake Truett-McConnel and the Bears tied the contest again at 56-56 with 6:09 remaining in the game. Solid guard play would prove to be the difference down the stretch as Graham and Benton would both find the back of the net from outside and the charity stripe to seal the victory for CIU, 78-74.

Game Notes

• Eric Graham and Corey Benton combined for 39 points with Graham leading CIU with 21 points and Benton posting 18.
• Jeff McIlwain stuffed the stat sheet with 15 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 blocked shots
• Arthur Pearson got in double figures for the first time this season with 10 points while also picking up 4 steals.
• CIU forced 26 turnovers while scoring 38 points off those takeways.

What Coach Stockman is saying:

"We were a little rusty, but that is to be expected with almost a month off of playing games, but again we made the plays we needed to come up with a win. 

I am excited about the second half of the season. We are in an excellent position to compete in our conference and continue to learn and get better."

Up Next:

The Rams will travel to Grayson, KY to battle Kentucky Christian University on Saturday, January 4th.