COLUMBIA, S.C. — CIU men's basketball played its first home game of the 2026 calendar year Wednesday night but came up short, falling 107–94 to Bluefield University in Appalachian Athletic Conference action at the Moore Fitness Center.

Bluefield shot efficiently in both halves and pulled away with a 58-point second half after leading 49–40 at the break. The Rams continued to battle offensively, scoring 54 points in the second half, but were unable to slow the visitors' perimeter shooting and transition attack.

Junior forward Johnny Whysong delivered another historic performance, recording his second career triple-double with 23 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists, marking the third triple-double in program history. Whysong also added a block and a steal while playing nearly the entire contest.

Jeffrey Clark, II added 21 points on 9-of-11 shooting, while JJ Vaughan matched him with 21 points off the bench, knocking down five three-pointers. James Davis finished with nine points and five assists, and Will Kelly contributed eight points and three assists.

The game marked the first time CIU has allowed 100 or more points at home since Nov. 12, 2020, when the Rams surrendered 115 points to Montreat College in an overtime victory.

CIU continues Appalachian Athletic Conference play on Saturday, Jan. 10, traveling to face Union Commonwealth University (Ky.) at 4:00 p.m. ET.