DAYTON, Tenn. - A late missed three from Bryan (Tenn.) gave CIU men's basketball the win Saturday afternoon as the Rams picked up the 55-54 victory over the Lions (9-9, 7-8 AAC). The win keeps the Rams in the top three of the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) standings as the Rams move to 11-4 in conference play and 12-7 overall. 

The low-scoring affair started in favor of the Rams as CIU lept out to a 7-0 advantage after a pair of free throws from Jaylon Jeter. CIU extended the advantage to double-digits 21-10 off Brandon Hunt's layup (7:13). However, Bryan would hold a two-point lead seconds before the break until James Davis knotted the game 28-28 before the intermission.

Both teams exchanged leads until the 4:31 mark in the second half when the Rams sprung up six points 51-45 on a Darrian Oates layup. The Lions trimmed the Ram's deficit to just one point twice in the game's final minutes, but a missed Bryan 3-pointer as time expired would hand CIU the win. 

Hunt and Oates were the only two players in double-figures, with Hunt (60% FG) tallying 15 and Oates (70% FG) posting 16 points. 

Guard Jalen Brinson banged inside with 12 rebounds, three assists, and five points. Johnny Whysong scored six points, including a late clutch bucket, while also pulling down five rebounds. 

Up Next: The Rams travel to Bluefield University (Va.) on Wednesday, Jan. 24, to battle the Rams at 7:30 p.m. EST.