WALESKA, Ga. – Coming off a 2-0 week in the AAC with wins over Bryan and Tennessee Wesleyan, the CIU men's basketball team hit the road for the contest with Reinhardt (7-3) on Tuesday. In February of 2020, the Rams picked up their lone win in the series history over the Eagles with a double-digit victory. However, the Eagles entered today's contest looking to avenge that loss and would do just that by handing CIU a 94-82 win.

How It Happened:

First Half: RU 48 CIU 42: The Rams started the game with a three from Elijah Spalding as the senior was an important factor for CIU all evening. The Eagles briefly took the lead 13-12 at the 14:22 mark, but the Rams quickly regained the advantage on the next possession as Corey Benton pushed CIU ahead 14-13. The next lead change came with 8:41 left in the half as the Eagles surged forward 23-22. Reinhardt held the advantage into halftime, going up 48-42 at the break. Benton led all scorers in the first half scoring 15 points.

Second Half: RU 94 CIU 82: The Eagles continued to extend their advantage in the second half leading by as much as 16-points, 78-62, with 8:14 remaining in the contest. CIU would make a late run as Brandon Doss got the Rams back within striking distance, knocking down back-to-back triples under the 7:00 minute mark. The Rams got as close as 6-points, 81-75, after Skyler McKinney drilled a three with 4:33 left in the game. However, the Eagles were able to stave off the Rams late rally to get their third AAC win, 90-82. The Rams move to 5-3 overall and 4-3 in the conference.

Game Notes:

• Corey Benton had an improved shooting night at 9-20 from the field, scoring 22 points. The senior still struggled from beyond the arc, going 1-7. Benton continues to lead the Rams in rebounding as he pulled in six rebounds.
• Senior Elijah Spalding had his best performance of the season as the Virginia native was a perfect 6-6 from the field with 14 points and six rebounds.
• Freshman DiAnthony Heathcock has blossomed as of late as he scored eight points and grabbed six rebounds.
• Three-point shooting proved to be the Ram's Achilles heel as CIU was 9-37 from deep.

What Coach Stockman is saying:

"I am disappointed with our performance tonight. We have to figure out how to play together on both ends of the floor if we are going to be successful in this conference."

Up Next:

CIU will take an NCAA Division I exhibition road trip through the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee at the end of this week.