LAURINBURG, N.C. - It was a record-breaking night for the CIU men's basketball team as they traveled to St. Andrews University on Wednesday evening. The Rams (12-7, 8-6 AAC) had possibly their hardest fought win of the season as it took two overtime periods to determine a winner as CIU ultimately defeated the Knights (2-16, 2-13 AAC) 123-117. The Rams' 123 points are the most in a game in CIU men's basketball history as the two teams combined for 240 total points. The Rams also had an individual scoring record as junior guard Darrian Oates scored 48 points to tie former Ram Corey Benton's single-game scoring record that was set last season.

CIU led by as much as 11 (36-25) after a Skyler McKinney 3-pointer with 6:11 left in the first half. However, the Knights scored an astounding 24 points over the half's final six minutes to take a 50-37 lead into halftime. 

In the second half, CIU again pulled away, going up by nine (85-76) with 5:49 remaining in the game. St. Andrews fought back, pulling within three (100-97), and then tied the game at 100-100 on a 3-pointer off an out-of-bounds play with one second remaining, forcing the contest into overtime. 

In the game's first overtime, the key play for the Rams was a fast-break dunk by DiAnthony Heathcock, deadlocking the game at 110-110 and forcing another extra period. 

In the second overtime, free-throw shooting was key for the Rams as CIU went 7-7 from the line in the game's final ten minutes to close out the Knights 123-117. 

Darrian Oates scored 48 points, the most by a player in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) this season, on a jaw-dropping 19-of-24 from the field and 5-of-6 from the 3-point range. Not to be outdone, fellow junior Skyler McKinney recorded a massive double-double with 31 points and 14 points. The duo's combined 79 points are the most by two players in a single game in program history. DiAnthony Heathcock had an equally impressive night as the big man also tallied an impressive double-double with 19 points and 16 boards. 

What Coach Tony Stockman is saying:

"What a game! Players on both teams made some incredible plays. I am so proud of the starters stepping up and playing a ton of minutes. They showed a lot of heart by never giving up and fighting the whole night."

Up Next:

CIU will travel to Union College (Ky.) on Saturday, Jan. 29, to take on the Bulldogs at 4 PM.