KINGSPORT, TENN. - After an upset win over the No. 3 seed Reinhardt (Ga.), CIU men's basketball looked to knock off No. 2 seeded Montreat (N.C.) in the semifinal round of the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Tournament on Friday. The last meeting between the two programs was a thriller with point guard Jalen Brinson connecting on a game-winning floater as time expired to win that game for the Rams on the road. Unfortunately for CIU, they were to unable recreate that magic, falling in the AAC semifinals, 79-71. 

The Rams took an early 8-2 lead in the first two minutes of the game on a 3-pointer from Darrian Oates, but the Cavaliers would quickly erase their deficit, storming back to take 9 point advantage with 11:50 remaining in the first half. After a couple of runs from both teams, DiAnthony Heathcock would grab an offensive board after a miss and finish with seconds remaining to cut the Cavalier's lead to two points at the break. 

Both teams traded buckets in the first ten minutes of the second half. CIU would take a brief two-point lead with 10:17 left on two made free throws from Bryce Causey. Unfortunately for the Rams, that would be the last lead they'd hold for the remainder of the game, as the Cavaliers closed out the game on a 22-15 run to advance to the AAC Championship game against Union (Ky.) on Saturday. 

Jalen Brinson provided several timely buckets in the loss, as he finished with 15 points to go along with four rebounds and three assists. 

DiAnthony Heathcock notched his eighth double-double of the season with 15 points and 11 rebounds. 

First Team All-AAC performer Darrian Oates added 14 points and dished out six assists. 

What Coach Tony Stockman is saying:
"Great experience for our players getting to play in the semifinal of our conference tournament. We are trying to build a championship team and it takes steps. This was a good step forward. The good thing is we still have more basketball to play." 

Up Next: 
CIU awaits seeding for the 2022 NCCAA South Region Tournament, which will take place from Mar. 3-5 at Paine College, in Augusta, Ga.