COLUMBIA - CIU men's basketball celebrated its winningest senior class in program history on Saturday by beating Johnson University (Tenn.) 82-76 on Senior Day. The Rams conclude the 2023-2024 season with an 18-10 overall record and a 17-7 mark in Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) action. 17 wins in league play is the most CIU men's basketball history as the Rams finish the season third in the AAC standings.
CIU jumped out in front 9-0 in Saturday's matchup with the Royals. Johnson was not intimated, however, and cut the advantage down to just five (26-21) as the game progressed. CIU kept their foot on the gas and grew the advantage back up nine points 30-21 on a Christian Howard layin. But the extension of the lead was shortlived as the Rams only held 36-34 edge at halftime.
The teams traded blows throughout the second half until CIU was able to take a 65-64 advantage on a Jalen Brinson and-one with 5:44 remaining. The Royal would not go away, tying the game at 70-70 (1:40) before the Rams went back in front on a pair of Howard free throws. The nail in the coffin came moments later as Bryce Causey used a nifty finish to put the Rams up 74-70 after a Royals turnover. The small lead proved insurmountable as CIU battled to the six-point victory, connecting on free throws down the stretch.
Heathcock scored 20 points while shooting 70% from the field. Brinson continued to find the bottom of the net as the graduate guard posted 19 points and handed out five assists. Howard was the third player in double-figures with ten points and five rebounds.
James Davis produced 12 quality minutes off the bench with nine points and five rebounds.
What Coach Tony Stockman is saying: "Super happy that our seniors were able to get the win today. Both this senior class and last year's senior class have done so much for this program. Their legacy is going to have a lasting effect not only on our teams to come but also on this campus."
Up Next: CIU will enter the AAC Men's Basketball Tournament as the No. 3 overall seed. The Rams will play No. 6 seeded Bryan College (Tenn.) on Thursday, Feb. 29, at 5:15 p.m. in the tournament quarterfinals. All games will be held at the MeadowView Marriot Resort & Convention Center in Kingsport, Tenn.
