LYNCHBURG, Va. – After playing in an overtime game on Friday afternoon, the CIU men's basketball team had a 20-hour turnaround as the Rams traveled to Lynchburg to face Liberty University. The Flames are perhaps the best NCAA Division I team CIU has faced this year. Liberty has won the most games in NCAA Division I men's basketball since 2018 second only to blue blood Gonzaga University. The Flames have already defeated the South Carolina Gamecocks and Mississippi State Bulldogs by double digits this season. CIU fought valiantly against Liberty. but fell with their lowest point total of the season 73-26. The loss will not count against CIU's record as the game was considered an exhibition for the Rams.
CIU saw several good performances in the afternoon, especially from some of their younger players. Freshman
DiAnthony Heathcock scored four points on 2-3 shooting while pulling down three rebounds. Heathcock also came up with an impressive blocked shot against the Flames in the second half. Senior
Elijah Spalding was solid for the Rams as he returned to his hometown of Lynchburg. Spalding recorded four points, two rebounds, and a steal.
Head Coach
Tony Stockman spoke on the afternoon contest saying, "I want to thank Coach McKay for giving us this opportunity. I also want to recognize my assistant coach, Corey Inman, for being the driving force behind making this game happen on such short notice."
CIU will be back on the court next week as they play an exhibition game versus Appalachian State on Friday, December 18th.
