COLUMBIA - Five players scored in double-figures and the Rams shot above 50% as CIU men's basketball swept their season series with Tennessee Wesleyan defeating the Bulldogs 86-72 at home on Tuesday. The Rams move to 9-5 overall and now sit at 8-2 in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC), sharing the top spot in the league with Pikeville (Ky.) and Union (Ky.).
The Rams took their first lead of the game on Jaylon Jeter's three to go up 14-11 five-and-a-half minutes into the contest. TWU battled back to tie the game but suppressed the Bulldog's attempt to take the lead as the Ram's advantage ballooned to 37-28 (3:39) on a Brandon Hunt two-hand slam. The Bulldogs chipped away at the deficit before the break, with CIU up 41-36 at the intermission.
By the 12:44 mark, the Ram's lead grew to 61-46 on Johnny Whysong's three-pointer. With under three minutes remaining, the Rams held their largest advantage of 83-65 after a smooth Jalen Brinson finish as CIU sailed to the 14-point win.
Darrian Oates was extremely impressive for the Rams, with 13 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. Heathcock was two rebounds away from a double-double as well, with eight boards and 15 points, while veteran guard Brinson posted ten points and dropped six dimes.
Jeter and Hunt combined for 25 points off the bench as Hunt notched 11 points and five rebounds while Jeter chalked up 14 points of his own.
The Rams shot over 56% from the field, marking the eighth time the Rams have gone over 50% from the field this season. Notably, the Rams went 11 of 21 from beyond the arc and dished out 19 assists.
Hear from Jalen Brinson postgame:
Up Next: CIU takes a respite for Christmas as they return to action on Jan. 2 for a bout with Truett McConnell University in Cleveland, Ga. at 7:30 p.m. EST.
