CONWAY, S.C. – The CIU men's basketball team began a three-game NCAA Division I exhibition road trip on Thursday as the Rams play three NCAA opponents in five days. The first opponent on the docket was in-state foe, Coastal Carolina University, as the Rams faced off against the Chanticleers. The contest was the first meeting between the teams since 2014 when Coastal knocked of CIU 81-52.

The Rams entered the game coming off a double-overtime loss the evening before versus Truett McConnell University. Senior guard Corey Benton scored 48 points against TMU but was unable to play against Coastal due to injury, and the Chanticleers proved too much to handle for the Rams, handing them an exhibition loss, 113-56.

Junior Thomas Woods played exceptionally well for CIU as he scored 15 points, knocking down 5 three-pointers. Woods paced CIU going 5 for 8 for beyond the arc. CIU also saw solid production from their young players as freshman DiAthony Heathcock, and sophomore Darrian Oates both had 7 points. Guards Julio Rodriguez and Jalen Brinson also made an impact each having 6 points, while Brinson also contributed 5 assists.

The Rams are back on the road as they take on Mercer University in an exhibition Saturday at 10 AM.