COLUMBIA, SC- Playing in their final home game of the year, the CIU Men's basketball set the program record for most home wins in a season picking up another home victory in a blowout win (94-67) over St. Andrews University. The win not only helped CIU capture one of the best home records (12-1) in all of college basketball this season; it also helped the Rams inch closer to the third seed in the Appalachian Athletic Conference tournament. CIU now holds a conference record of 14-9 and hopes to land a top-three seed in the conference tournament and ultimately gain a bid to the NAIA National Championship Tournament.

How It Happened Versus St. Andrews:

First Half CIU 44 SAU 42: The Knights of St. Andrews jumped out on top of the Rams outplaying CIU in the first serval minutes of the game. However, Freshman Skyler McKinney helped CIU keep pace with the Knights leading the Rams with twelve first-half points. CIU fell behind by as much as eight down the stretch in the first half, but Corey Benton and Arthur Pearson gave the Rams life before halftime. Benton would knock down a three to bring the Rams within two points and then later a triple from Pearson tied the game at 42-42. After a bucket at the horn by Elijah Spalding, CIU took a 44-42 lead into halftime.

Second Half CIU 94 SAU 67: The second half was a completely different contest then the first as the Rams outscored the Knights 31 to 9 in the first ten minutes. Behind the formidable inside presence of Jeff McIlwain and the hot outside shooting of Eric Graham, the Rams continued to extend their lead throughout the half. CIU would see a remarkable ten different players tally points in the box score in the second half, and the Rams would cruise to a 94-67 win.

Game Notes

• Skyler McKinney continued his impressive freshman campaign with 15-points on 60% shooting.
• Eric Graham and Jeff McIlwain both had 15 points, while Graham was 3 of 4 from three.
• CIU's starting five all scored in double-figures as Corey Benton, and Arthur Pearson rounded out the scoring each posting 11-points.
• Coach Tony Stockman now holds a record of 22-6 in the Moore Fitness Center.

What Coach Stockman is saying:

"Our focus has been great at home all season long. Our defense has played exceptionally well in this building, and I am proud of the product we have given our fans this year"

Up Next:

CIU will head to Bluefield College to play their final regular-season game on Saturday before heading to Kingsport, Tennesee, for the AAC tournament.