COLUMBIA, SC – CIU women's basketball tipped off on Tuesday afternoon to face Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) rival, Truett McConnell. The Rams started off 2023  strong, defeating the Bears 76-55. CIU is now 7-8 on the season and 6-5 in conference play. 

The Rams took the lead less than two minutes into the game with a layup in the paint from Tearra Cook. The lead changed hands several times in the first minutes of the game, but CIU regained control and led 24-16 after ten minutes of play. The second period was slow offensively for both teams. The Rams would not score until the 5:41 minute mark when two free throws came by way of Madison Hatcher. Despite just a 12-point second period, CIU kept their lead, up 32-26 at the half. 

The Rams bounced back quickly in the second half, outscoring the Bears 44-29 in the contest's final 20-minutes. CIU only coughed up the ball six times in the second half while also standing tall defensively, collecting five blocks. The largest lead of the game (26 points) came in the fourth at the 4:22 minute mark. TMU battled through all four quarters, but it was not enough to hold of the Rams potent offense as CIU cruised to a win in their first game of the New Year. 

Cook started off 2023 hot, picking up another double-double with 19 points and 16 rebounds. She was also 9-of-12 (.75%) from the field and collected a season-high five steals. Sophomore Zhani Thompson also collected a double-double, with 16 points and 14 boards. The performance marked the first time in program history two players have combined for 30 or more points and 30 or more rebounds. Hannah Wilkerson continues to grow her scoring average as the team's leading scorer notched up 16 more points. Hatcher also found herself with double-digit points tonight with ten.  Queeneka Howard stuffed the stat sheet as she recorded six assists, eight rebounds, three steals, and three points. 

As a team, CIU went 28-of-72 (38.9%) from the field, with an impressive first-quarter where they shot 55%. The Rams were strong on both sides of the ball tonight, only turning it over 14 times while forcing 20 turnovers from the Bears. They also collected 52 rebounds compared to TMU's 42. 

 Hear from Coach Danielle Fleming and Tearra Cook postgame: 



Up Next: CIU hits the road as they travel to Grayson, Ky. to take on Kentucky Christian University on Thursday, Jan. 5 at 5:30 PM.