MILLIGAN, Tenn. — Playing its first Appalachian Athletic Conference game in more than a week, CIU men's basketball earned a hard-fought 72–70 road win at Milligan on Saturday afternoon. The victory moves the Rams to 8–5 overall and 3–2 in AAC action.
CIU trailed 38–31 at halftime but surged back with a 61 percent shooting performance in the second half. The Rams took their first lead with 13:59 in the second half remaining and held off multiple late Milligan pushes, including a potential game-tying attempt in the final seconds.
Jeffrey Clark, II powered CIU with 16 points on 8-for-10 shooting while adding four rebounds. Johnny Whysong delivered a strong all-around effort with 14 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and a block. Will Kelly and Connor Higgins both posted 12 points, with Higgins shooting 6-of-8 from the field and Kelly finishing with four assists and a team-high 35 minutes.
JJ Vaughan provided 13 points off the bench, including three made threes, and James Davis added five points, three rebounds, and three assists.
CIU shot 53.4 percent for the game and outscored Milligan 41–32 in the second half. The Rams also produced 50 points in the paint and forced 12 turnovers while committing only one second-half turnover themselves.
CIU returns home on Wednesday, Dec. 10, hosting Spartanburg Methodist College at 7:30 p.m. ET.
