BARBOURVILLE, Ky. - CIU men's basketball shot under 40% for just the second time in 13 outings and fell to Union (Ky.) 72-67 on the road on Saturday afternoon. In a match-up of last year's Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) regular-season champions versus tournament champions, the Bulldogs got the best of CIU for the ninth time in the history of the rivalry. CIU falls to 7-2 in the conference with the loss and 8-5 on the year. 

After trailing to open the game, CIU seized their first lead of the contest (19-18) at the 12:12 mark off a lay-in by freshman Johnny Whysong. The Rams grew the advantage to as many as seven points (33-26) on a Howard finish, but it was the Bulldogs who were in front of the Rams, 41-39, heading into halftime. 

The Rams never led in the second half but did found themselves tied with the Bulldogs three times in the game's final 20 minutes. Darrian Oates knotted the game at 67-67 (2:25) on a layup, but the Rams were scoreless in the last two minutes as Union pulled out the 72-67 win. 

Jalen Brinson and Anthony Heathcock were the only two Rams in double figures, with Brinson posting 14 points and three assists while Heathcock had a near double-double with ten points and nine boards. 

Nearly half of the Ram's points came off the bench, as 33 points were scored by non-starters. Whysong tallied six points off the pine, while Will Kelly chipped in eight points despite not getting the starting nod. 

The Rams are now second in the AAC standings behind the Bulldogs as Union holds the head-to-head. 

Up Next: CIU plays its final game before Christmas break on Tuesday, Dec. 12, hosting Tennessee Wesleyan University at 7:30 p.m. EST.