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The Official Website of CIU Athletics

Columbia International University Athletics

Heathcock
72
Winner Cumberland (TN) CUMBERLA 2-5
70
CIU (SC) CIU (SC) 6-3
Winner
Cumberland (TN) CUMBERLA
2-5
72
Final
70
CIU (SC) CIU (SC)
6-3
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Cumberland (TN) CUMBERLA 37 35 72
CIU (SC) CIU (SC) 39 31 70

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | gfrierson

Men's Basketball falls in tight finish with Phoenix

KINGSPORT - A last-second three-pointer from Darrian Oates missed the mark, and CIU men's basketball was upended 72-70 by Cumberland University (Tenn.) Saturday evening. The meeting was the first all-time between the Phoenix and the Rams and the third meeting between CIU and a Mid-South Conference opponent this season. The loss gives the Rams an overall record of 6-3, while Cumberland climbs to 2-5 on the season.

The Rams trailed for the first nine minutes of the first half until a Christian Howard finish knotted the game at 20-20. A three-pointer from Will Kelly two possessions later gave CIU the advantage for the first time 23-22. The Rams led by as much as five before the break but had just a 39-37 upper hand on the Phoenix at the intermission.

The Rams nearly went up double-digits in the game's second half as a tip-in from Brandon Hunt at the 14:26 mark put the Rams up nine (52-43). CIU held the lead until a Cumberland triple forced the Rams into a 65-63 deficit with 5:26 left to play. After exchanging leads down the stretch, CIU found themselves down two (72-70) after a missed Cumberland free throw with nine ticks on the clock. The Rams nearly flawlessly executed the game's final play, but Oates' three hit front iron as time expired. 

DiAnthony Heathcock and Howard led the Rams in scoring each with 19 points. Howard was an impressive 9-for-11 from the field as Heathcock tallied a double-double with 12 rebounds. Hunt continues to be an integral piece of the Rams' game plan, scoring ten points and pulling down six rebounds. 

The Rams' backcourt of Jalen Brinson and Oates filled the stat sheet, with Oates posting five points and eight boards while Brinson chalked up seven points and four assists. 

CIU struggled to find their rhythm from beyond the arc, shooting just 4-of-17 from deep as a team. The Rams did win the rebounding battle, outrebounding the Phoenix 41-to-31.

Up Next: CIU returns to Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) play with a road matchup versus Johnson University (Tenn.) on Wednesday, Nov. 25 at 7:30 p.m. EST in Knoxville. 

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