LAURINBURG, N.C. - CIU men's basketball began their quest to defend their Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) title on Wednesday evening as the Rams opened conference play versus St. Andrews University. CIU made light work of the Knights, chalking up a double-digit 81-58 win on St. Andrews home court. The Rams are 11-3 all-time versus the Knights and move to 2-1 on the young season. 

The Rams took a 10-8 advantage early (13:46) on DiAnthony Heathcock's interior finish. A Jaylon Jeter 3-pointer extended the lead to 16-10, but the Knights battled back, and both teams traded baskets. The Knights trimmed the advantage to 28-27 (3:30) before CIU closed the half on a 10-2 run capped by a Bryce Causey triple.

The Knights stayed within ten for the first ten minutes of the second half until the Rams opened the game up, going up 67-50 (8:03) on Christian Howard's lay-in. CIU continued to grow the advantage down the stretch as another Causey 3-pointer and a Jalen Brinson bucket ballooned the Rams' lead to 74-54. The lead grew in the final three minutes as CIU secured a 23-point victory. 

The Rams had 11 players score Wednesday and four in double figures. Howard went 6-for-8 from the field, scoring 12 points and nabbing 11 rebounds to lead CIU. Brinson poured in 11 points and dished out seven assists, while Heathcock posted 10 points and seven boards. Bryce Cause was the Ram's final player in double-figures, tallying ten points off 4-of-9 shooting. 

The Rams shot 50% from beyond the arc as a team, going 8-of-16. 

What Coach Tony Stockman is saying: "I am pleased with our shot selection this evening; when you shoot over 50% from the field as a team, that goes a long way in helping to win games. We have a difficult matchup coming up on Saturday and a Division I exhibition tomorrow. We will try to get some rest and carry this momentum over the next three days."

Up Next: CIU will play Presbyterian College (S.C.) in an exhibition game on Thursday, Nov. 9 at 7:00 p.m. in Clinton.