Columbia International University Athletics

After finally having a day off between games to rest. The Columbia International University women's basketball team was back in action this afternoon. The Rams took on Columbia College in the Capital City Clash. Last year the Koalas beat the Rams at the Moore Fitness Center.

The Rams were looking to get back on track and back in the win column before they left for Christmas break. The teams were evenly matched all game, but in the end it was the Rams who were victorious by the final score of 66-64.

The Koalas would get on the board first, but after that first basket the two teams would struggle to get the ball in the hoop. The Rams would finally get on the board at the eight minute mark as Zeleria Simpson gave the Rams their first points. However, after that basket for the Rams the Koalas would go on a 6-0 run to take an early 8-2 lead. Jordan Spruell would stop the Koalas run and pull the Rams closer. With four minutes left in the quarter the Rams would pull within one of the Koalas after a clutch three from senior Raven Fleming, but the Rams weren't done yet as they would get back to back baskets from Victoria Dickerson and Jordan Spruell to take the lead. Then with just over a minute left Fleming would hit another three and the Rams would lead 17-12 after one quarter.

Dickerson was on fire to start the second quarter as she would score the first five points of the quarter to extend the Rams lead. She wasn't done as she then hit a three at the eight minute mark. The Koalas would pull to within three, but after that the Rams went on a small 5-0 run to extend the lead. The two teams would battle over the next couple minutes. The Rams would push the lead to nine on multiple occasions, but they would push it to double digits with just over a minute left in the half after a basket from Spruell. The Rams would take a 41-32 lead at half.

After halftime the Koalas would get on the board first, but just ten seconds later Sam Wammock would score for the Rams. Just before the seven minute mark the Rams were able to extend their lead to ten thanks to Simpson. However, the Koalas fought back and pulled to within one with four and a half minute left in the quarter. Both teams would go cold after that basket as neither team scored from almost three minutes. Finally, the Rams were able to get on to fall as Raven Fleming made another three. The Rams took a slim 50-46 lead after the third quarter.

Just like the first quarter, Simpson would get the Rams on the board first, but the two teams would go back and forth for the first two and half minutes of the fourth quarter. With just over six minutes left the Koalas were able to tie the game at 56. After the Koalas took the lead the Rams came back to life as Simpson and Spruell gave the Rams the lead back. However, the Koalas weren't done yet as they tied the game at 61 with just under three minutes remaining. The Rams would take the lead after a basket from Dickerson, but the Koalas would take their first lead since the first quarter with just over two minutes remaining. The Rams would force the Koalas into some bad shots and a marvelous shot from Dickerson and a free throw from Simpson gave the Rams a 66-64 victory.

Columbia International shot 45.9% (28-61) from the field and were 6-of-13 from beyond the arch...Columbia College shot 34.3% (23-67) and was 8-of-19 from the three point line...The Rams were able to block six of the Koalas shots and they pulled down 33 rebounds...The Rams also had four players reach double figures...Victoria Dickerson led the Rams with 21 and six rebounds...Raven Fleming had 16 points, five steals, and two blocks...Zeleria Simpson had a solid game with 14 points, three rebounds, two blocks, and four steals...Once again Jordan Spruell posted a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds...Amber Sherrill led the Koalas with 18 points...This was the Rams second victory against the Koalas since they started playing each other back in 2013.

Columbia International will now have Christmas break off. Once the new year rolls around the Rams will be back in action on January 11 as they travel to Charlotte, NC to take on Johnson & Wales University at 7 p.m.