COLUMBIA, S.C. - After losing five of their first six games, CIU women's basketball got back on track on Tuesday night as they seized an important Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) win. The Rams stayed in their own area code to play a road game against Columbia College (S.C.) as CIU pulled ahead late versus the Koalas for the 64-62 victory. The Rams move 2-5 overall, and 2-3 in the AAC as the Koalas fall to 1-5 overall and 1-4 in the conference. 

The Rams trailed 32-27 at the half but came all the way back for a wild finish. With just 31 seconds remaining and the game tied at 62-62, Hannah Trawick sealed her defender in the post, turned, and finished inside to put CIU up 64-62. The Rams picked up a stop at the other end but then turned it over as the Koalas' Zhala Adam's had a wide-open layup to tie the game. However, the Rams' Queeneka Howard had other ideas as she blocked Adam's shot from behind, keeping the Rams up by two. Columbia's last shot attempt did not fall, and the Rams squeaked out the 64-62 win. 

Hannah Trawick was dominant inside, recording a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Queeneka Howard stood out as well, with double-digit rebounds tallying 13 boards and nine points. 

Graduate transfer Teneea Heston led CIU in scoring, putting up 19 points going 9-of-10 from the free-throw line. 

CIU's other player in double-figures was Jordin McQueen who scored ten points and had seven rebounds.

Both teams had a multitude of turnovers, but the Rams won the turnover battle forcing 22 Koala turnovers while only turning it over 20 times themselves. 

What Coach Danielle Fleming is saying:

"We knew coming in it was going to be a battle and a game of runs. Teneea played big for us, and it was a great take by Hannah at the end to put us up two. Proud of how my girls fought till the end"

Up next:

CIU will be at home after Thanksgiving as they host Milligan University (Tenn.) on Dec. 1.