COLUMBIA, S.C. - In need of an Appalachian Athletic Conference win, the CIU women's basketball team delivered on Monday night as they took care of Columbia College at home. Coming off a challenging weekend on the road CIU (10-13, 8-10 AAC), the Rams bounced back with a 72-63 win over the Columbia (3-17, 3-16 AAC). The win is a milestone of sorts for the Rams, who have reached double-digit wins this season and become the first CIU women's basketball team to have double-digit victories in back-to-back years. During the 2020-2021 season, the Rams set the program record for wins with 16. 

After a hard-fought first quarter, the Rams trailed by three points (19-16) but fought back to steal a 28-27 advantage on a pair of Jordin McQueen free throws with 1:32 remaining before the half. After trailing at the break 32-29, a six-point third quarter from Queeneka Howard gave CIU back the lead, 50-47, heading into the final period. Howard and Zion Neat would carry CIU in the fourth as the pair combined for 17 points in the game's last ten minutes as the Rams grabbed a much-needed conference win. 

Howard had her most well-rounded game of her collegiate career as she was just shy of a triple-double, scoring 19 points, grabbing nine rebounds, and tallying seven steals. 

Zion Neat led CIU in scoring with 20 points while pulling down seven boards of her own. 

Senior guard Keniah Watkins has begun to fill it up as of late as the South Carolina native scored 13 points, notched two assists, and forced three steals. Watkins's veteran counterpart Jordin McQueen had a solid evening with eight points, going 6-of-9 from the foul line.

What Coach Danielle Fleming is saying:
"It feels good to be on the winning side today. This is always a battle and a tough rivalry game. Very proud of how the girls fought in the second half. We have to carry this momentum into tomorrow." 

Up next:

The Rams will have a quick turnaround as they host Johnson (Tenn.) tomorrow, Feb. 8, at 5:30 PM.