COLUMBIA - CIU men's basketball added to the history of college basketball in Columbia, South Carolina, on Tuesday evening as the Rams downed Columbia College 78-71 in the first-ever meeting between the two teams. The 2024-2025 season is the first intercollegiate men's basketball season in the Koalas' history. The addition of men's basketball marks the first time there has been another Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) men's basketball program in Columbia since Allen University (S.C) left the conference for the SIAC in 2020.

Tuesday's contest saw a close game in the first half, with several impressive plays coming from both teams. A skying one-hand slam from Brandon Hunt was the highlight of the first half and also put the Rams up 30-28 (5:18). The Rams would extend the lead slightly as Christian Howard scored in the half's final seconds to give CIU a 43-37 lead at the break.

The Koalas bounced back after halftime, and CIU trailed briefly by 1 (51-50). However, an 11-1 run would put the Rams up 61-52 at the 8:28 mark. The Koalas cut the advantage to just three, 74-71, with 19 seconds left in the game, but made free throws would close out the evening for CIU, who held on to the seven-point win.

The Koals had no answer for Howard in the paint as the senior scored 19 points and grabbed six rebounds. Will Kelly scored 15 points while dishing out four assists, while Hunt posted 10 points and seven boards.

Johnny Whysong continues to be an important part of the Rams' game plan as the sophomore stuffed the stat sheet with six points, eight rebounds, and three assists. CIU saw production off the bench from JJ Vaughan, who knocked down three triples.

CIU moves to 7-1 overall and 4-1 in the AAC with the win.

Up Next: The Rams travel to Kingsport, Tenn. to play Shawnee State (Ohio.) on Friday, Nov. 29 at 7:15 PM at the NAIA "The Show" college showcase.