KINGSPORT, TENN. - CIU men's basketball kicked off  NAIA 'The Show' with a Friday night contest against Shawnee State University (Ohio). In their first-ever matchup against the Bears, CIU took home a 92-69 victory. The Rams are now 8-1 on the season. 

Game Recap: The Rams came out firing, opening the game with an 11-0 run before Shawnee State finally got on the board. The Bears chipped away at the deficit, but a three-pointer from JJ Vaughan gave CIU a commanding 18-point advantage heading into halftime. Will Kelly was a force in the first half, tallying 13 points, while Vaughan added nine, all from beyond the arc.

CIU maintained their double-digit lead after the break, with Vaughan knocking down another three-pointer to stretch the margin to 22. The Rams controlled the tempo throughout the second half, cruising to a dominant 92-69 victory.

Vaughan delivered another stellar performance from beyond the arc, knocking down seven three-pointers on 11 attempts and finishing with a game-high 23 points. Kelly and James Davis added to the offensive effort with 15 and 11 points, respectively. Christian Howard came close to a double-double, contributing 11 points and pulling down nine rebounds. Johnny Whysong showcased his versatility again, filling the stat sheet with eight points, six assists, and two steals.

Up Next: The Rams take on No. 18 University of Mobile (Ala.) tomorrow, Nov. 30, at 1:45 pm EST.