WINONA LAKE, Ind. - In their final appearance of the season, CIU women's basketball took on the No. 4 seed University of Northwestern (MN.) in the 7th place game of the NCCAA National Championship Tournament Friday afternoon. The Rams held a seven-point lead at the break but were unable to hold off the Eagles in the second half and would fall 60-51. Despite the game's outcome, CIU had their hand in a heartfelt moment in the opening seconds of the game. Northwestern's Brooklyn Dekam, a senior who lost her final season to a preseason knee injury, was granted an opportunity to take the court and score the first points of the game and her final basket to cap off an incredible career with the Eagles. 

After trading baskets in the early part of the first quarter, CIU began to inch ahead as the quarter whined down to take an 18-13 lead. Both teams struggled to score consistently in the second quarter; however, CIU still found themselves ahead, entering the halftime break up 31-24. 

Unfortunately for CIU, the Eagles would begin to heat up in the third quarter, storming back to take a four-point lead, 46-42 at the end of the third quarter. The Eagles began to stretch their lead in the fourth, eventually claiming victory 60-51. 

In her final game in the navy and gold, Teneea Heston led the way for CIU in the scoring column with 11 points, six rebounds, and four steals. 

Queeneka Howard, also taking the court for the last time for CIU, was productive in her 32 minutes of action, scoring seven points and snagging eight boards.

Freshman forward Mariah Leinbach pounded the glass in her time on the court, securing ten boards. 

What Coach Danielle Fleming is saying:
"It's so hard when you're so close and can't finish, so this game hurts especially for the seniors, but when I reflect on the strides that they made for this program, it makes me smile. I appreciate everything they gave for the CIU women's basketball program and hope to build on it in the future"