COLUMBIA, S.C. –The CIU women's basketball team played their final regular-season game of the year on Wednesday as they were toppled by Truett McConnell 77-66 in the Moore Fitness Center. Despite the loss, CIU ends the season with their best record in five years at 12-14 and will most likely host an Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) tournament game this coming Saturday. As of Wednesday evening CIU will be the 6th seed in the AAC tournament.
How It Happened:
First Half CIU 38 TMU 35: Zion Neat scored 10 points in the opening period as CIU led 9-2 early and ended the first quarter with a 19-15 advantage. Jordin McQueen came alive in the second quarter scoring nine points, while Madison Ferrara was hot off the bench knocking down two triples. CIU held a three-point, 38-35 lead at the break.
Second Half TMU 77 CIU 66: Neither team could separate themselves in the third quarter as CIU went 6-15 from the field and the Bears went 6-17. However, despite eight points from McQueen in the final period, the Bears got red hot in the fourth quarter outscoring CIU 29-15. The flurry of points was too much for CIU to overcome as the Rams fell by double-digits.
Game Notes:
- Jordin McQueen knocked down four 3-pointer on her way to a team-high 23 points. The junior also tallied five rebounds.
- Zion Neat had 15 points as the freshman was strong on the glass with seven rebounds.
- Hannah Trawick continued her dominance inside has she scored 10 points and snagged eight boards
- Madison Ferrara was a bright spot off the bench scoring 12 points, including two 3-pointers.
- The game's story was bench production as CIU was outscored 42-12 in points off the bench.
What Coach Danielle Fleming is saying:
"We have to learn to be consistent on defense. We made shots early, but down the stretch, we couldn't get enough stops. Growing pains are apart of the game, and no our focus is on the next one."
Up Next:
CIU will play in the AAC tournament's opening round this coming Saturday; the conference will announce seeding and opponents on Thursday at 1 PM. This will be the first AAC tournament game in CIU women's basketball history.