COLUMBIA, S.C – After receiving votes in the NAIA Coaches' Top 25 poll earlier in the week, the CIU men's basketball team continued their winning streak on Thursday night. CIU picked up a 20-point win as they defeated Kentucky Christian University 87-67. CIU has now won five games in a row and has yet to lose in 2021. The Rams continued their excellent play at home as CIU still boasts only one loss in the Moore Fitness Center this season. The Rams also have double-digit wins for the third straight season as the Rams move to 10-3 on the year.

How It Happened:

First Half: CIU 49 KCU 34: The Knights stayed close with CIU through the early portion of the game, and the Rams and Knights found themselves deadlocked at 23-23 with 11:00 minutes remaining in the half. The Knights surged forward to take a 30-29 lead at the 6:46 mark. From there, it would be all Rams as CIU would close the half on a 19-4 run. Elijah Spalding and Corey Benton were instrumental in the run as the Ram's two seniors both scored 10 points in the half. Sophomore Darrian Oates made the most of his new starting role in the first half, leading the Rams with eleven points.

Second Half: CIU 87 KCU 67: The Knights looked to be making a comeback as KCU cut the lead to 52-46 just 3:00 minutes into the second half. However, the Rams bench would come up big as freshman Julio Rodriguez, and Bryce Causey each scored twice to get the CIU lead back to 69-53 with 10:23 remaining. The familiar faces of Oates, Benton, and Skyler McKinney would then close the game out for CIU as the Rams picked up their ninth conference win of the season 87-67 over the Knights.

Game Notes:

• All five of the Rams starters scored in double figures as Corey Benton, and Darrian Oates led the Rams in scoring. Benton notched 17 points and seven rebounds, while Oates scored 15 points, going 4-4 from the line.
• Elijah Spalding was tremendous for CIU with 12 points and six boards. Spalding had a momentum-swinging play in the first half as the senior threw down an and-one slam.
• Brandon Doss and Skyler McKinney shot a combined 9-18 from the field as Doss scored 11 points and dished out 5 assists while McKinney scored 12 points.
• Thanks in large part to Spalding; the Rams dominated inside, outscoring the Knights in the paint 40-24.

What Coach Tony Stockman is saying:

"It was good to see some of our second group show what they could do. They have been working hard in practice and on their own, and we needed them to step in the second half. I am proud of the guys who came off the bench and I am happy for their success."

Up Next:

CIU will look to sweep the season series with Bryan College as the Rams head west to face the Lions on Saturday, January 16th.