JACKSONVILLE, FLA. - CIU women's basketball played their first of two games in the Sunshine State against Edward Waters University (Fla.), out of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Tuesday night. The Tigers came into the contest with a 9-4 record overall. The Rams, however, entered the contests 3-6 and 3-4 in the AAC. In their last game, CIU claimed a narrow 76-75 home victory over Carolina University (N.C.) and looked to win their second straight game. However, the Rams could not find a rhythm offensively, shooting 26.5 percent from the floor. As a result, CIU would fall 81-57 on the road. 

The Rams struggled from the tip to get the ball through the net. CIU shot 19-71 from the field and 6-28 from the three-point line. The Rams also couldn't connect from the line shooting 61.9 percent for the game. Edward Waters, however, was able to score inside the arc at will, while only connecting on one three the entire 40 minutes. They were also able to draw fouls and would connect on 85.7% of their free throws, in route to an 81-57 non-conference win. 

Madison Ferrara led all scorers for the Rams with 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting and with three of her four makes coming behind the arc. Ferrara also added in two steals on the defensive end. Freshman forward Mariah Leinbach provided scoring off the bench with 10 points. Fellow freshman Madison Hatcher also added nine points and four rebounds for CIU. 

Up Next: 
The Rams take on Johnson University - Florida on Friday, Dec. 17 at 3 PM in Kissimmee.