GRAYSON, Ky. - CIU men's basketball halted a three-game skid on Saturday as the Rams took care of business on the road versus Kentucky Christian with an 80-76 victory. The win comes after CIU dropped their first Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) game of the season just two days ago to Johnson (Tenn.). The Rams sit atop the AAC with a 6-1 conference record and are 7-4 overall. 

Saturday's contest saw CIU jump out to a 10-4 advantage and then extend the lead to double digits on Bryson Causey's layup, going up 25-14 (10:30). However, the Knights battled back over the next seven minutes, surging forward 32-39 on a triple with 3:55 remaining in the half. The Rams responded by going ahead 40-36 heading into intermission after a Causey finish, and a pair of Heathcock free throws broke a 36-36 tie.

CIU led for the entirety of the second half save for a 69-69 (3:32) tie that was broken by Heathcock's three-pointer (2:40). The Knights would trim the deficit to 76-74 but four made free throws in the game's final 13 seconds from Jalen Brinson and Darrian Oates sealed the game for CIU.

Heathcock was dominant for the Rams, with 13 points and 13 rebounds. Both Oates and Christian Howard went 6-of-9 from the field as Oates scored 16, and Howard poured in 14. Jalyn Jeter scored a season-high of 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting, while Reid Warga chipped in eight points and five rebounds.

The Rams only attempted 11 three-pointers as CIU scored 44 points in the paint and had 17 second-chance points.

What Coach Tony Stockman's is saying: "Obviously, it is a pretty emotional time for our team and for CIU athletics. Our guys did a good job focusing for 40 minutes to pick up the win. I am glad we could represent CIU well and get the victory. This win is for Darren, and hopefully, it can be a bright spot during a difficult time."

Up Next: CIU travels to Tennessee to take on Milligan on Wednesday, Dec. 6 at 6:30 p.m. EST.