Columbia International University Athletics

The Columbia International University women's basketball team was back on the court for their first game of the 2017-2018 season. The Rams opened their season on the road as they traveled to Tigersville, SC to take on the North Greenville Crusaders. The Rams struggled tonight and fell, 73-38, to the Crusaders.

The Rams got off to a good start on their first possession as Raven Fleming hit a three. Over the Crusaders next couple possessions the they would take their first lead of the game. That lead was short lived, as Zeleria Simpson hit two free throws to give the Rams a 5-4 early lead. The Crusaders would start to build a lead throughout the rest of the first quarter. The Rams however, would cut the lead to three after a free throw from Semoine Frasier. At the end of the first the Crusaders would take a 20-9 lead.

The Rams would get their first second quarter points off a jumper from Jordan Spruell. Unfortunately, the Crusaders continued to build their lead throughout the second quarter and took a twenty-four point lead into the half.

The Rams played better in the second half as they closed out the game by scoring seventeen points in the fourth quarter. In the final two quarters the Rams stuck with the Crusaders, but the Crusaders won by the final.

Columbia International shot 74.1% (20-27) from the free throw line, while North Greenville shot 55.6% (5-9) from the line...Raven Fleming opened her senior season with a double-double as she score 18 points and had 11 rebounds...Jordan Spruell also had five points and nine rebounds...The Crusaders were led by Karen Donehew with 13 points and eight rebounds.

Columbia International will be back in action on Saturday as they travel to take on Montreat College at 2 p.m.