WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The 2020-2021 CIU women's basketball team continues to make history as they once again made their mark on the program record books. CIU defeated Carolina University in dominant fashion 96-60 to claim their first-ever NCCAA DI South Region title on Thursday night. The Rams also surpassed the program record for wins as CIU is now 15-15 on the season.

How It Happened:

First Half: CIU 45 CU 28: After trailing early in the contest, CIU would find themselves tied with the Bruins at 14-14 after a triple from Zion Neat. On the next possession, the Rams would take the lead on a Hannah Trawick layup and not relinquish the advantage for the rest of the contest. CIU led 21-14 after one, but it was the second quarter that was the story of the game. The Rams would start the quarter on a 22-2 run and never look back, taking a 45-28 lead into halftime. Neat and Jordin McQueen were both instrumental in the run combining for 13 points in the quarter.

Second Half: CIU 96 CU 60: The Rams kept the pedal to the metal in the second half and would extend their lead to 27-points on a Madison Ferrara layup with 2:57 remaining in the third. CIU took a commanding 72-48 lead into the final period as Ferrara led the way with nine points in the third quarter. A Britney Brown layup with 1:21 remaining in the contest gave CIU their first 30-point lead of the season as CIU put the nail in the coffin going up 91-60 on the Bruins. A Kylie Walker jumper and Jay Mazyck 3-pointer in the waning seconds put Carolina out of its misery as the Rams clinched a program-defining 96-60 win.

Game Notes:

• The Rams had six players in double figures.
• Jordin McQueen had 18 points and six rebounds, while Zion Neat scored 16 and pulled down seven boards.
• Keniah Watkins was close to a triple-double with 10 points, eight rebounds, and six assists.
• Hannah Trawick added to her double-double total with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
• Madison Ferrara had 10 points, while Queeneka Howard had 11 points and six rebounds.
• CIU's 36-point margin of victory is the largest since the Rams' 80-28 win versus Toccoa Falls on January 17th, 2017.
• The Rams have won three postseason contests this season; entering the 2020-2021 year, the Rams had not won a postseason game.

What Coach Danielle Fleming is saying:

"What a game my girls played tonight! We executed very well, and our motto going into this game was "whatever it takes". They gave it all they had and did whatever it took, and it resulted in a regional championship!

Up Next:

The Rams make their first trip to the NCCAA National Tournament as they will play their first game on March 17th in Winona Lake, Indiana.