COLUMBIA, S.C. – After failing to win a postseason game so far in their history, the CIU women's basketball team changed that ugly stat as the Rams defeated Milligan University in the first round of the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Tournament on Saturday. Led by first-year head coach Danielle Fleming the contest was also CIU's first-ever appearance in the conference tournament. Seventh-seeded CIU (13-14) dispatched the tenth-seeded Milligan (8-16) by double-digits 93-78 for the historic win.

How It Happened: 

First Half: CIU 52 MU 41: The Rams exploded for 27 points in the first quarter, drilling four 3-pointers. Freshman Zion Neat looked like an upperclassman as she scored 12 points in the opening quarter. The Rams continued to roll in the second quarter as sophomore Madison Ferrara knocked down two 3-pointers, and Jordin McQueen chipped in six points. CIU scored 25 points as a team in quarter number two as the Rams held a 52-41 lead at halftime.

Second Half: CIU 93 MU 78: The third period was CIU's lowest-scoring quarter as the Rams were outscored by Milligan 20-15. However, behind guard Keniah Watkins and hot shooting Ferrara, CIU would get going again in the final period. Watkins scored eight fourth-quarter points while Ferrara nailed three 3-pointers. Neat was effective as well adding eight points to grow the CIU lead. Milligan waved the white flag under the 2:00 minute mark clearing the bench, and the Rams breezed their way to the 93-78 win.

Game Notes: 

• Freshman Zion Neat had her sixth double-double of the season, scoring 25 points and snagging 11 rebounds. 
• Jordin McQueen contributed 17 points, six rebounds, and three assists. 
• Junior Keniah Watkins was one assist shy of a double-double scoring 15 points and recording nine assists. 
• Madison Ferrara stepped up when it mattered most hitting five 3-pointers scoring 15 points. 
• Lexington native Hannah Trawick continues her dominant run in the paint as she had her second 15 rebound game in a week. 
• CIU had their best 3-point shooting game of the season, knocking down 12 triples and going 45% from the field as a team. 
• Coach Fleming's squad is now one win away from tying the most wins in a season as CIU sits at 13 wins. 

Up Next:

CIU will head to MeadowView Conference Resort and Convention Center in Kingsport, Tennessee, to continue the AAC Women's Basketball Tournament. CIU will take on second-seeded Union College Bulldogs on February 24th at 4 PM. CIU came out on top of the Bulldogs in their last meeting as CIU beat Union, 76-74 on February 6th.