LAURINBURG, N.C. - Wins do not come easy in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC), but CIU men's basketball was able to hold off a feisty St. Andrews (N.C.) team on Wednesday night to get back in the win column. The victory snaps a three-game skid for CIU, but the Rams still have won four of their last seven in the month of January. CIU moves to 9-10 overall and 8-8 in conference play. 

The game stayed close in the first half until CIU opened up a six-point advantage (23-17) at the 13:22 mark on a Christian Howard layup. The Knights stayed within striking distance until a dunk from DiAnthony Heathcock gave CIU their largest lead of the game at 43-34. The Rams would hold onto a nine-point lead (45-36) at the break.

The Rams held as much as a 12-point advantage after the intermission going up 60-48 on a score from Vladan Malavrazic. The Knights continued to battle, however, steadily cutting away at the Rams' lead until finally trimming the deficit down to just two, 81-79, with 18 seconds left to play. The Knights would have two 3-point attempts in the final seconds, but both would come up empty as the Rams held on to dispatch their conference opponent.

Skyler McKinney scored 18 points and grabbed eight rebounds in 30 minutes of action, while fellow forward DiAnthony Heathcock added 16 points on 70% shooting from the field. Christian Howard played an important role off the bench, going 6-of-8 from the floor for 15 points. Jalen Brinson was the Rams' fourth player in double-figures with ten points and five assists.

As a team, the Rams forced 15 turnovers and were one assist shy of their season-high, dishing out 21 total dimes on the evening. 

What Coach Tony Stockman is saying: "Happy to pick up a conference road win tonight. We are looking forward to finally being back at home on Saturday with a tough TWU team coming to town."

Up Next: The Rams play host to Tennessee Wesleyan on Saturday, Jan. 28, at 4:30 PM