COLUMBIA, S.C. — In a matchup between two Columbia neighbors separated by less than seven miles, the CIU men's basketball team came up just short in a 76–73 exhibition loss to NCAA Division II Benedict College on Wednesday night inside the Moore Fitness Center.

The exhibition was the first of three NCAA exhibitions the Rams will play this season.

Benedict led 32–29 at halftime and maintained a slim advantage throughout the final minutes, despite CIU matching the Tigers with 44 second-half points.

Jeffrey Clark, II paced the Rams with 27 points on 10-of-14 shooting, including two three-pointers and a 5-for-5 performance at the free-throw line. JJ Vaughan added 19 points while knocking down five threes, and Will Kelly contributed 10 points. Johnny Whysong directed the offense with eight assists along with six rebounds.

CIU shot 44.6 percent from the field and 37 percent from beyond the arc, while Benedict finished at 50.9 percent from the floor and converted 18 free throws to maintain its lead.

The exhibition does not affect CIU's record, as the Rams remain 1–2 on the season.

CIU returns to regular-season play on Friday, Nov. 7, at home versus Southeastern University (Fla.) at 3:00 p.m. ET inside the Moore Fitness Center.