COLUMBIA, S.C. — Johnny Whysong scored a game-high 23 points as CIU men's basketball secured its first victory of the 2026-27 season Friday evening, defeating Paine College 77-68 at the Moore Fitness Center during Homecoming weekend.
The Rams (1-3) overcame a six-point first-half deficit before outscoring the Lions 46-37 in the second half to pull away for the nine-point victory.
CIU opened the contest with a 5-2 advantage following a 3-pointer from Tristyn Carrington. The Rams maintained a narrow lead through much of the opening period before Paine used a late scoring stretch to build a 31-25 advantage with under two minutes remaining.
Whysong helped erase the deficit, scoring four consecutive points in the final minute to send the teams into halftime tied at 31.
The Rams took control early in the second half behind Whysong and Gray Madeira. After Paine briefly regained a 37-35 advantage, Madeira connected on a 3-pointer to put CIU ahead for good with 16:37 remaining. Whysong followed with a basket, and Madeira added two more 3-pointers over the next four minutes as the Rams extended their lead to 50-43.
Paine continued to challenge CIU, trimming the deficit to two points midway through the period and later pulling within four at 64-60 with 5:25 remaining. However, Rhett Warga answered with a putback basket, and Jeffrey Clark II followed with two free throws to restore an eight-point advantage.
The Rams maintained their lead down the stretch, with Warga scoring six points in the final three minutes to help secure the victory.
Whysong finished with 23 points on 10-of-15 shooting, including 17 points in the second half. The senior guard also collected nine rebounds and dished out five assists, narrowly missing a double-double.
Madeira provided 15 points off the bench, connecting on four of his eight attempts from beyond the arc. Warga added 14 points, eight rebounds and three assists, while Clark contributed eight points and six rebounds.
CIU shot 45.6% from the field and held a 44-33 advantage on the glass. The Rams also received 38 points from their bench, recorded 17 assists and outscored Paine 36-30 in the paint.
The Rams return to action Monday, Nov. 9, when they travel to Milledgeville, Ga., to face Georgia College in an early morning contest. Tipoff is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. ET.
