COLUMBIA, S.C. — CIU men's basketball closed its regular-season road schedule with a 93–87 victory over Columbia College on Wednesday night in Appalachian Athletic Conference play.

The Rams improved to 17–9 overall and 12–6 in league action with the win, staying in position for a second-place conference finish entering the final game of the regular season.

CIU led 42–40 at halftime after closing the first half on a 6–2 run, highlighted by a Johnny Whysong putback layup at 1:06 and two free throws from Jeffrey Clark, II with 46 seconds remaining. Columbia trimmed the margin to two with a jumper in the final seconds, but the Rams carried momentum into the break.

The Rams quickly built separation early in the second half. A Clark three-pointer at 18:23 put CIU ahead 47–43, and a pair of Will Kelly free throws at 15:10 stretched the lead to seven. Moments later, Kelly drilled a three at 13:36 and Clark followed with a dunk at 13:11 to extend the advantage to 60–48, the Rams' largest lead of the night.

Columbia continued to battle and cut the deficit to four in the final three minutes, but CIU sealed the win at the free-throw line. Clark and Kelly combined to hit six free throws in the final minute to secure the victory.

Clark led all scorers with 30 points on 10-of-17 shooting and added eight rebounds. Kelly finished with 26 points and went a perfect 11-for-11 at the free-throw line, while Connor Higgins grabbed nine rebounds. JJ Vaughan added 13 points off the bench, and Whysong contributed six points, five rebounds and five assists.

CIU shot 43.8 percent from the field and converted 29 free throws while forcing 21 turnovers and turning them into 22 points.

The Rams conclude the regular season Saturday at home against Milligan at 4:00 p.m. ET. A win would secure a second-place finish in the AAC standings.