MONTREAT, N.C. - Despite whittling, Montreat's (N.C.) lead down to just two points in the game's second half, CIU men's basketball would come up short on the road 76-66 on Saturday night. The loss is the Rams fourth in conference play and marks the first time this season that CIU (10-7, 9-4) has lost back-back games in Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) action. 

CIU led the contest 27-25 on Darrian Oates's layup with 4:52 left in the first half, but it would be the Ram's final lead of the entire game. Montreat outscored CIU 15-8 in the half's final 3:57 to lead 40-35 at the intermission.

CIU had several opportunities in the second half to close the gap between themselves and their opponent. The first one came after a layup from Christian Howard (15:05) brought the Rams' deficit to just 43-41. The Rams would again trim the Cavalier lead to just two points on a James Davis free throw 56-54 (8:03), but Montreat responded seconds later with a 3-pointer. The Cavaliers would hold the Rams at arm's length in the game's dwindling minutes and managed the double-digit win thanks to several late free throws.

Both Brandon Hunt (5-for-10 FG) and Darian Oates (5-for-8 FG) scored 12 points for CIU on the evening. Christian Howard was the third Ram in double-figures with 11. DiAnthony Heathcock had a diminished role in scoring the basketball with just three points but made an impact on the glass with ten rebounds. 

The Rams shot a respectable 43% from the field but struggled mightily from beyond the arc in the second off, going just 1-for-10. 

Up Next: CIU makes a trek back to Columbia for a Tuesday, Jan. 16 matchup with St. Andrews (N.C.) at 7:30 p.m. EST.