COLUMBIA, S.C. - The highs and lows of the college basketball season continued for CIU men's basketball in their Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) contest with Kentucky Christian on Saturday. Fortunately for the Rams, they are peaking at the right time as CIU defeated Kentucky Christian (3-10, 3-8 AAC) for their second consecutive conference win. The Knights battled early but lost momentum midway through the first half as CIU dispatched KCU 79 to 53 for their tenth win of the season (10-6, 6-5 AAC)
With the score tied at 18-18 in the first half, the Rams broke the game wide open, going on an 11 to 0 (29-18) run at the 10:06 mark. KCU cut the lead down to just 31-26 before CIU finished the final three minutes of the half on a 15 to 0 run spurred on by 3-pointers from Ramiro Arrillaga and Bryce Causey.
With CIU up 44-26 to start the second half, a spirited effort from the Knights brought the score back to a ten-point game at the 15:16 mark. Ten points was as close as the Knight got, however, as DiAnthony Heathcock tore apart Kentucky Christian inside in the second half, leading the Rams to a 79-53 victory.
Heathcock finished the game with a double-double scoring 21 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. Overall, saw CIU balanced scoring with ten players recording points in the box score. The only other player in double-figures was Darrian Oates, who tallied ten points going 8-of-9 from the free-throw line. Guard Bryce Causey put up eight points for CIU as the North Carolina native appeared to find his stroke knocking down two triples.
The game's storyline was rebounding and second-chance points. CIU out-rebounded Kentucky Christian an astonishing 61 to 26, setting the program's single-game rebounding record in the process. 22 of those 61 rebounds came on the offensive end of the floor for the Rams, which resulted in 21 second-chance points.
Hear from Coach Tony Stockman postgame:
Up next:
CIU looks to continue their conference win-streak with a Tuesday evening game against Point (Ga.) on Tuesday, Jan. 8 at 7:30 PM
