WEST POINT, Ga. - The CIU men's basketball team has completely turned around a disappointing start to the regular season as the Rams have now picked up their third straight Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) victory. The Rams took down Point University (Ga.) 74-69 on the road Tuesday evening as CIU moves to 5-3 overall and 3-3 in the AAC. The Skyhawks (6-4, 3-2 AAC) were the 2020 AAC regular-season champions and entered the AAC tournament as the No. 1 overall seed last season. 

CIU actually trailed at the half 33-31 but would take the lead two minutes into the second half on a DiAnthony Heathcock dunk to go up 38-37. The Rams grew the advantage to as much as 47-39 at the 16:08 mark. Point battled back to trim the lead all the way down to 69-67 with 2:25 remaining in the ball game. However, a stout defensive effort held off the Skyhawks for the 74-69 win.

The Rams' bigs, DiAnthony Heathcock and Christian Howard continue to impress early in the season. Heathcock led the Rams on 6-of-9, shooting for 15 points and six boards, while the freshman Howard tallied 12 points and five rebounds. 

Darrian Oates and Skyle McKinney both reached double figures as the duo combined for 11 rebounds as Oates scored 12 points and McKinney contributed 13. 

Jalen Brinson has played the role of the Rams' primary ball-handler through the first eight games as the junior dished out six assists and scored nine points of his own.

It was a poor shooting night for CIU from beyond the arc as they shot just 22% from 3-point range; however, the Rams made up for it elsewhere as they went a scorching 48% from the field. 

What Coach Stockman is saying: 

"I am proud of the guys and happy they were able to pull out this win. We talked about having attention to detail and not letting Point outwork us. Our guys played hard and smart while keeping their cool in a very physical game."

Up next:

CIU will head to Boiling Springs, N.C. tomorrow, Nov. 24, to play an NCCAA Division I exhibition game versus Gardner Webb University.