COLUMBIA, S.C. - Coming off a heartbreaking loss on Thursday evening at Bluefield University (Va.), the CIU men's basketball team hoped to get back in the win column on Saturday as they hosted Bryan College (Tenn.). Unfortunately for CIU, the Rams picked up their third conference loss of the season as they fell to the Lions 79-67. CIU moves to 2-3 overall and 0-3 in the Appalachian Athletic Conference. 

The first half of the contest was a low-scoring affair for both squads. CIU fell behind 20-11 in the first ten minutes but was able to cut the lead to 37-31 at the half. However, the final 20 minutes of the contest turned in the Lion's favor as Bryan started the second half on a 17-2 run. CIU would claw back to get the lead down to 72-60 after Skyler McKinney and Devin Pope knocked down a handful of triples, but it would be as close as the Rams got as the Lions held off CIU for the win. 

Junior guard Jalen Brinson was solid for CIU going 5-of-11 from the field and dishing out a season-high eight assists. Darrian Oates shot well for CIU as the third-year player went 50% from three and 50% from the field on his way to 13 points. The Rams' third player in double figures was Skyler McKinney, who scored 12 points but went just 4-of-13 from the field and 2-of-8 from beyond the arc. As a team, CIU was able to knock down 12 three-pointers but only shot the ball at a 31% clip from deep. 

Up Next:
CIU will host Reinhardt on Wednesday, Nov. 17, at 7:30 PM.