BARBOURVILLE, Ky. - CIU men's basketball played their final weekend road game of the 2022-2023 regular season on Saturday as they took on No. 3 Union College (Tenn.). The matchup was the first time in program history that the Rams have played an NAIA top-ten-ranked opponent. CIU, trailed by just two at halftime in the contest, and looked to have a chance to hand the Bulldogs their first Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) loss of the season. However, a second-half surge from Union put an end to CIU's upset hopes as the Rams were tripped up 85-59. The Rams are now 12-10 in AAC play and move to 13-12 overall, while the Bulldogs have an unblemished 22-0 record in the conference. 

The Bulldogs went up six early in the first half, but the Rams would battle back over the course of the next 15 minutes and take a 24-23 advantage on a Jalen Brinson jumper at the 5:31 mark. CIU extended their lead all the way out four (32-28) on a back-to-back 3-pointers from Jaylon Jeter, but the Bulldogs ended the half on a 6-0 run to lead 34-32 at the break. 

The second half was a different story than the first, and while the Bulldogs never had a significant run, they gradually extended their lead. CIU would find themselves down 69-47 with 6:05 and were ultimately held to just 27 points in the second half, receiving the 85-59 loss. 

CIU had a balanced offense, with nine players getting in the scoring column. Christian Howard was the only CIU player in double-figures picking up 11, while Brinson and DiAnthony Heathcock chipped in nine points each. Heathcock rounded out his evening with five rebounds. 

Second-half shooting had a direct correlation to the final score, as the Rams shot 26% from the field in the final 20 minutes. 

Up Next: The Rams will play in their final regular season road game on Tuesday, Feb. 14, as they head Bluefield (Va.) for a 7:30 PM tip.