MILLIGAN COLLEGE, Tenn. – After starting Appalachian Athletic Conference play 0-2 the CIU women's basketball team is back on track, winning their second straight AAC contest. The Rams dropped Milligan University Thursday night, disposing of the Buffs 86-77. CIU was initially supposed to play a home game Thursday against Brenau University. After the Golden Tigers had to postpone, CIU took the opportunity to take the trip to Tennessee. This is the Ram's second win in a row over Milligan as CIU knocked off the Buffs last February 64-54.

How It Happened:

First Half: MU 44 CIU 40: Keniah Watkins was superb in the first half scoring 10 points in the first quarter, shooting 66% from the field. Watkins would follow the first quarter performance up with a 12 point second quarter scoring 22 points in the first half. Zion Neat and Jordin McQueen both had 6 points in the first half and despite leading 34-27 with 4:00 minutes remaining in the second quarter CIU trailed 44-40 at halftime.

Second Half: CIU 86 MU 77: The third quarter turned the game's tide in the Rams favor as the Rams outscored the Buffs 28 to13. Jordin McQueen was a problem for the Milligan defenders as the junior transfer scored 9 points in the quarter. The Buffs were able to cut into the Ram's advantage in the fourth quarter but still could not stop McQueen or Watkins. Watkins got to the foul line three times in the fourth while sophomore Tiona Walls high energy play helped the Rams control the boards. CIU pulled out the win 86-77.

Game Notes:

• Keniah Watkins scored 31 points, the most points scored in a game by CIU player since last November when Watkins set the single-game scoring record with 35. Watkins shot 9-10 from the foul line and 11-18 from the field.
• Watkins is now third in the conference in scoring averaging 18.2 ppg.
• Jordin McQueen once again scored in double figures scoring 19 points, shooting 50% from the field.
• Tiona Walls led Rams in rebounding with 11 boards while also scoring 6 points,
• CIU kept good care of the ball, only turning it over 10 times their lowest turnover total this season.
• The Rams were able to force 26 Milligan turnovers changing the game's course in CIU's favor.

What Coach Danielle Fleming is saying:

"What a great win for our program. Although it won't show in the stats, our bigs did a great job of slowing down their post players in the second half. Keniah and Jordin led us in scoring and were huge offensively. Tiona was crucial late for us with her defense. It was a great team win tonight, and I am looking forward to getting better."

Up Next:
The Rams will head to Montreat College on November 24th to challenge the Cavaliers in an AAC matchup.