MILLIGAN COLLEGE, Tenn. - The CIU men's basketball team took on Milligan University (Tenn.) on Thursday evening, riding high on a three-game win streak. That win streak, unfortunately, came to a halt against Milligan (3-13, 2-11 AAC) as CIU (11-7, 7-6 AAC) was downed by the Buffs 92-73. The loss splits the season series between Milligan and CIU as the Rams defeated Milligan 92-79 in the first meeting between the two squads back on Dec. 1. The loss by the Rams also evens the all-time series between the two programs at 4-4. 

Despite falling behind by nine points (23-14) midway through the first half, CIU would battle back to trail by just two (49-47) at the break. Both Skyler McKinney and Darian Oates had solid first halves as each player scored 11 points in the game's first twenty minutes. After once again trailing by double-digits early in the second half, the Rams cut the Milligan advantage to 71-66 on a pair of Oates free throws with 9:26 remaining. However, it was the closest CIU would get as they were outscored 22 to 7 in the final nine minutes of the contest. 

McKinney and Oates each finished with 15 points as McKinney was one rebound away from a double-double with nine boards. DiAnthony Heathcock had a strong second half showing with ten points in the half on his way to a 15 point, 11 rebound double-double. Bryce Causey was the Ram's fourth player in double-figures as he scored ten points to go along with six rebounds.

Up next:
CIU has almost a week off as they head to St. Andrews University (N.C.) for a 7:30 PM matchup on Wednesday, Jan. 26.