COLUMBIA, S.C. - Coming off a big win over crosstown rival Columbia College, the Rams were looking to maintain their momentum heading into Wednesday night's game against Milligan. The Buffs came into the game with an impressive 7-3 record and were 5-0 in Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) play. However, after trailing by 11 at the half, CIU came storming back in the third and fourth quarter, led by a double-double from Zion Neat and a strong showing behind the arc from Madison Hatcher. The Rams would knock off the Buffs to win win with a final score of 98-88. CIU moves 3-5 overall and 3-3 n the conference. 

The Rams went on a 10-4 run to start the game but, Milligan chipped away to make the first quarter competitive. The Buffs came out swinging in the second quarter, shooting 50% from the field compared to Ram's 25% from the field to take the lead heading into halftime 55-44. 

CIU would have a solid third-quarter performance led by Zion Neat, who scored eight points in the quarter, and Teneea Heston would add six. Defensively, the Rams forced seven steals, which slowed down the Milligan offensive attack and turned turnovers into points for the Rams on the other end. In the fourth quarter, Madison Ferrara knocked down two clutch three-pointers to push the Rams to a 98-88 win over  Buffs.

Zion Neat had a special night for the Rams, recording her first double-double of the season with a career-high 32 points and ten rebounds. Teneea Heston would prove a spark off the bench scoring 21 points shooting 6-of-10 from the floor, and adding two steals. Freshman Madison Hatcher was deadly from deep going 4-of-7 from 3-point range on her way to 14 points. 

CIU's 98 points are the most in a conference game since the Rams scored 99 points in a double-overtime loss to Kentucky Christian on Nov. 16, 2019. 

Hear from Zion Neat and Coach Danielle Fleming post-game:


Up Next:
The Rams will travel up to the smokey mountains to take on AAC foe Tennessee Wesleyan on Saturday, Dec. 4, at 2 PM.