WEST POINT, Ga. – Tuesday night saw the top two men's basketball programs in the Appalachian Athletic Conference go head to head as (RV) CIU traveled to face #25 Point University. The two teams have been jostling for the top spot in the conference over the last several weeks and the evening's contest held postseason implications. Point (18-5) defeated CIU (11-6) at home earlier in the season and once again got the best of the Rams, dispatching CIU 86-78.
How It Happened:
First Half: PU 38 CIU 35: CIU raced out to an 18-6 advantage behind a hot start from Corey Benton. However, a run from the Skyhawks brought the score to 22-20 just under the 10:00 minute mark. Point took the lead going up by two, but the Rams tied the game at 32-32 on a Thomas Woods layup with 2:08 remaining. Three late scores by Point brought the score to 38-35 at the break.
Second Half: PU 86 CIU 78: The Rams would fall behind by double digits 52-42 in the first 5:00 minutes of the second half. A quick 9-3 run spurred on by four straight points from Thomas Woods sliced into the deficit as CIU only trailed 54-51. Point continued to hold the advantage, however, and once again went up double digits with 3:01 left to play, leading 80-69. CIU trimmed the advantage down to 82-76, but it was too little too late as the Rams wilted 86-78 at the final horn.
Game Notes:
- The nation's fourth-leading scorer Corey Benton put up his fourth 30 or more point game of the season, scoring 30 points and grabbing six rebounds.
- Senior Elijah Spalding filled the stat sheet yet again with 14 points, four rebounds, and two blocks.
- Thomas Woods scored 13 points on 5-7 shooting while going 50% from deep, knocking down two triples.
- Jalen Brinson reached double digits scoring 10 points going 3-5 from the field.
What Coach Tony Stockman is saying:
"It was a hard-fought game tonight. We competed and matched their aggressiveness, but we needed to focus a little more defensively. We had too many mental errors and gave them some easy baskets. I hope we can learn from our mistakes and be ready for Saturday's game."
Up Next:
CIU will take on Milligan University on Saturday at 7 PM in the Moore Fitness Center.