BARBOURVILLE, Ky.: The CIU women's basketball team gave Coach Danielle Fleming her marquee win of the season, Saturday afternoon, as CIU (11-12) knocked off Union College (13-4). The Rams beat the Bulldogs 76-74 to help solidify their position in the AAC standings as CIU moves back into seventh place. This is the Ram's first win over Union since CIU beat the bulldogs by five back in 2019.

How It Happened:

First Half: CIU 37 UC 34: CIU led 19-17 at the end of the first period, Kiara Austin scored to beat the first-quarter buzzer. Zion Neat went on a tear in the first quarter scoring 10 points, knocking down two 3-pointers. Keniah Watkins led the way in period two, scoring 7 points, including a 3-pointer at the end of the half to give CIU a 37-34 lead heading into the break.

Second Half: CIU 76 UC 74: CIU took as much as an 11-point lead 48-37 in the third quarter after a Tiona Wall score, but they only led 53-47 heading into the final period. Jordin McQueen set the tone for the fourth quarter as she drilled a triple to start the period giving the Rams a 56-49 advantage. McQueen and Neat were impressive offensively as the duo combined for 17 fourth-quarter points. Madison Ferra sunk two clutch free throws to close out the game, and the Rams upended the Bulldogs 76-74.

Game Notes:

• Zion Neat is outpacing the competition in the AAC Freshman of the Year race. Neat had 24 points on 8-14 shooting to go along with five boards, a steal, and a block.
• Jordin McQueen came alive late for CIU, scoring 18 points and recording six rebounds for the game. The junior transfer went a blistering 4-6 from deep.
• Tiona Walls was a major factor in the Rams win as the Clover, S.C native dominated the defensive end with six steals and five rebounds.
• Keniah Watkins had 10 points and four assists.
• CIU was deadly from beyond the arc as a team, going 10-21 (47%) from 3-point range.

What Coach Danielle Fleming is saying:

"This is a great win for our program. I am proud of the fight in our girls. Our defense early on helped us be in the position we were in at the end of the game. Union made a run down the stretch, but we never folded. That's called growth."

Up Next:

CIU will be back home against Brenau University on February 13th at 5 PM.