DAYTON, Tenn. - Darrian Oates became the fourth player in CIU men's basketball history to record 1,000 career points on Saturday afternoon in the Rams' 71-66 loss to Bryan College (Tenn.). The achievement was a bright spot in an otherwise difficult loss that will drop CIU in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) standings to 7-6 in AAC play and 8-8 overall.

The Rams trailed from the outset of the game and fell behind by as much as nine before cutting the Lions' lead down to 21-19 at the 6:20 mark on a three from Jaylon Jeter. However, Bryan extended the lead out to double-digits before an Oates layup in the final seconds of the first half trimmed the lead down to 36-27 at the break.

CIU burst out of the half on a 13-to-2 run to go up 40-38. The Rams and Lions would trade baskets for the next several minutes until CIU was finally able to grab the lead at 60-58 at the 6:05 mark on an Oates jumper. Unfortunately for the Rams, Bryan regained the lead with 2:43 remaining and would hold onto it as they secured a 71-66 victory over CIU in the game's final minutes. 

Oates led the Rams in scoring with 20 points and six rebounds on 9-of-15 shooting. CIU's only other player in double figures was DiAnthony Heathcock, who notched a double-double with 15 points and 12 boards. Skyler McKinney was the Rams' third-leading scorer with eight points, while Jeter and Bryce Causey each pitched in seven points. 

The Rams were solid defensively, recording 11 steals as a team.

Up Next: The Rams travel to Knoxville on Tuesday, Jan. 17, for a road game with Johnson University (Tenn.) at 7:30 PM.