GRAYSON, Ky. - The CIU men's basketball team took on Kentucky Christian (3-16, 3-13 AAC) in a rare Monday evening contest looking for a season series sweep against the Knights. CIU (13-8, 9-7 AAC) would get just that as the Rams staved off KCU's late rally for an 87-75 victory. The win puts CIU head coach Tony Stockman just two wins from 200 total career victories. Stockman sat just outside the NAIA's top 25 active winningest coaches when the 2021-2022 season began.
Monday night saw the Rams jump out to a hot 11-2 lead as CIU took care of business early versus the Knights. Both teams would settle down as halftime neared, and the Rams held a 44-32 advantage after one. Darrian Oates got into double figures in the first 20 minutes of play with 11 points before the break.
CIU led by as much as 14 (60-46) halfway through the second half, but the Knights stuck around, cutting the lead down to 71-70 with 4:22 remaining. Solid defense by CIU held KCU to just five points the rest of the way as each team scored 43 points in the second half resulting in an 87-75 Ram win.
Darrian Oates, who has become one of the Appalachian Athletic Conference's most prolific scorers, poured in 22 points on 9-of-17 shooting from the field and was two rebounds away from a double-double with eights boards and five assists.
CIU big DiAnthony Heathcock would tally a double-double for CIU with 16 points and 13 rebounds.
Skyler McKinney chipped in 17 points, six of which came from the foul line as the junior filled the stat sheet with seven rebounds.
Sophomore Bryce Causey continues to be a deep threat; the North Carolina native tallied 12 points knocking down two 3-pointers.
CIU follows their current trend of picking up victories when they win the battle on the glass as the Rams outrebounded KCU 42 to 29.
What Coach Tony Stockman is saying:
"Good road win for us. The guys did a better job starting off with focus and energy. I thought we showed a lot of poise withstanding their run in the second half, and I was proud of how we finished. It is encouraging to have so many players contribute to the win.
Up Next:
The Rams have a tough test coming up at home as they host Truett McConnell (Ga.) on Thursday, Feb. 3 at 7:30 PM.
