PIKEVILLE, Ky. - On a night when Jalen Brinson needed just 15 points to become the sixth player in a Rams uniform to score 1,000 career points, the veteran guard would go above and beyond to score a career-high 31 points as CIU men's basketball fell to Pikeville (Ky.) in overtime 90-88. Brinson's crossing of the 1,000-point threshold points further magnifies the solid health of a program that during the 2022-2023 season would have boasted four 1,000-point or future 1,000-point scorers (Skyler McKinney, Darrian Oates, DiAnthony Heathcock, Brinson).
Wednesday's loss to the Appalachian Athletic Conference's (AAC) top-ranked team put the Rams at 16-10 overall and 15-7 in league play. The Rams still sit solidly in third place in the conference.
The game was tight from the jump, with neither team gaining a foothold early. However, as the half progressed, the Bears steadily built an advantage, going up 38-29 (3:18) late in the first frame. However, the Rams' trimmed this advantage before the break as a Heathcock layup in the half's final minute put the Rams down just three, 39-36 at halftime.
CIU trailed as much as 13 in the second half but would use a 9-0 run to comeback and tie the game at 74-74 on a Christian Howard layup with 3:03 remaining. Both teams would trade blows until an Oates finish with less than 20 seconds in regulation sent the game into overtime knotted at 81-81.
The Bears broke an 88-88 deadlock with a pair of free throws late in the extra period. CIU had two opportunities on their final possession, but both attempts missed their mark as the Rams succumbed to Pikeville by just one score.
On top of Brinson's career outing, Howard tallied 23 points on 10-of-12 shooting to go along with eight rebounds. Heathcock was the third Ram in double figures with 13 points and eight boards, while Oates chipped in 9 points and six rebounds.
The Rams shot 61% from the field in the second half, but it wasn't enough to secure the win.
Up Next: CIU will host Reinhardt University (Ga.) in one week's time on Wednesday, Feb. 21, at 5:30 p.m. EST.
