WINONA LAKE, Ind. – The CIU men's basketball team finished what was a roller coaster ride to the end of the season on Friday as the Rams dropped the 5th place game at the NCAA National Championship. The Rams took on Lancaster Bible College for the first time in program history and fell 87-68 to the NCAA school out of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The Rams finish the season with a winning record for the third consecutive year at 16-9.

How It Happened: CIU trailed 17-11 with 11:54 remaining in the first half before a Brandon Doss 3-pointer made the game a one possession game at 17-14. Later CIU would keep at it a four-point deficit as Darrian Oates got inside for the score cutting the lead to 23-19. The Rams would then trial by as much as 12 before getting within eight before the break 44-36.

CIU fell behind by 17-points early in half, but a 3-pointer from Corey Benton brought the lead back down to eight 64-56 with 10:31 remaining. Unfortunately for the Rams, it would be a struggle from that point on as CIU would get the deficit under double-digits only once more in the contest. CIU trailed 72-63 after a Corey Benton free throw at the 6:00 mark. It was too little too late, however, as the Chargers pulled away 87-68.

Game Notes

• Darrian Oates had a career-high 32 points on 10-16 shooting while going 11-11 from the line.
• Corey Benton finished the season scoring in double figures every game this year as he scored 12 points against the Chargers.
• DiAnthony Heathcock had eight points going 2-7 from the field.
• It was a tale of two halves as CIU shot 51% from the field in the first half and 22% in the second half.
• CIU finishes the season 6th overall in the NCCAA.