COLUMBIA, S.C. - The CIU women's basketball found themselves in an early week Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) game on Tuesday as the Rams aimed to bounce back, receiving a conference loss over the weekend. The Rams faced off against Brenau University (Ga.) in what was a makeup contest from earlier in the month. The Golden Tigers (4-9, 3-8 AAC) entered the contest with a dominant all-time 6 to 1 record over CIU (7-10, 5-7 AAC). However, the Rams went against historical data on Tuesday as they took down Brenau 77-57. The 20-point victory is CIU's second-largest margin of victory against a conference opponent this season.
It was a slow start to the game for CIU as the Rams only scored five first-quarter points and trailed by seven after one. CIU clawed back in the second quarter, however, as the Rams put up 23-second quarter points behind a spirited effort from grad-transfer
Teneea Heston, who scored eight points alone in the period. The solid second period showing from CIU propelled the Rams to a 28-22 lead at the break.
The Rams would carry their momentum into the third period, a big scoring quarter from guards
Teneea Heston and
Keniah Watkins. The pair combined for 17 of the Rams' 27 points in the quarter as CIU carried a 55-42 lead into the fourth. The Rams held the Golden Tigers to 5-of-17 shooting and only 15 points as CIU would cap off a hot-shooting second half connecting on 53.3 percent of the baskets in the final quarter. As a result, the Ram picked up the win, 77-57.
Teneea Heston has come up big consistently this season and had another impressive outing on both sides of the floor. Heston has combined for 50 points in her last two games, with 25 tonight to go along with nine rebounds and two steals.
Keniah Watkins also had a solid performance off the bench with 17 points going 3-of-3 from the three-point line and 4-of-4 from the charity stripe.
Queeneka Howard also provided a spark of the bench with 10 points and a pair of three-pointers.
The Rams full-court press worked to perfection this game as they forced 32, which ties their highest mark this season.
Hear from Teneea Heston and Coach Danielle Fleming postgame:
Up Next:
CIU will be right back in action tomorrow as they travel to Laurinburg, N.C. to take on St. Andrews at 5:30 PM.
