COLUMBIA, S.C. - CIU women's basketball won their second consecutive Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) game on Saturday as they took down Kentucky Christian University (KCU) by a score of 74-60. The win is important as the Rams were jocking for position with the Knights (6-5, 5-4 AAC) in the middle of the AAC standings. The Rams are now 6-6 overall and 5-4 in conference play. 

CIU took the lead (17-15) with half a minute left in the first quarter on a pair of free throws from Madison Hatcher, and the Rams closed out the first period up four (19-15) after Jaylyn Twitty beat the first-period buzzer. The Rams grew their lead by as much as 14 (31-17) on a Hannah Wilkerson layup in the second quarter and carried a 38-29 advantage into the intermission. 

KCU would respond out of the break outscoring the Rams' 19-11 in the third quarter. However, CIU was not to be denied the victory with a 25-point fourth-quarter offensive explosion. Somarian Webb helped close out the game scoring nine points in the final ten minutes, while the Rams' defense held the Knights to just 12 fourth-quarter points. 

The Rams had very evenly distributed scoring, with four players in double-digits, Wilkerson (17), Webb (15), Tearra Cook (15), and Madison Hatcher (12). Cook was one rebound away from a double-double with nine boards. The Rams won the game on the glass and with defensive pressure. CIU forced 24 turnovers and outrebounded the Knights 48-to-39. 

Hear from Danielle Fleming and Tearra Cook postgame: "Great win today. Must win for us and a chance to go 2 and 0 this week. The girls played physical and did a great job rebounding and making clutch free throws. Very proud of them!"

Up Next: The Rams hit the road for a conference class with Point (Ga.) on Wednesday, Dec. 13, at 5:30 PM in West Point.