COLUMBIA, S.C. - Despite being overpowered by a large margin to the Tennessee Wesleyan Bulldogs earlier this season, CIU women's basketball quickly turned the table on Tuesday night to walk away with the 62-53 win over TWU. CIU is now 3-7 overall and 2-6 in Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) play.
Aubrielle Harris got the Rams on the board with a good jumper (2-0). The Bulldogs battled back, but Madison Hatcher blocked a last-second three-pointer to keep the score 12-9 after the first quarter. TWU went on a 10-0 run in the second period before Bethany Rymer ended the scoring drought with a finish in the paint (19-14). Keniah Watkins added two more with a minute remaining to force a 22-22 tie going into intermission.
The Bulldogs regained the lead in the third quarter and led by 1 (37-36) before the final ten minutes. The Rams' offensive exploded and added 26 more points in the fourth, however, highlighted by 11 from Watkins, to take their second AAC win.
Harris had a perfect night, going 7-7 from the field, 1-1 behind the arc, and 4-4 at the charity stripe to chip in 19 points in tonight's contest. She also added nine rebounds and one block. Watkins also added 19 points, six rebounds, five assists, and four steals. Rymer found herself in double-digits with ten points. Jessica North effectively guarded the rim for the Rams with eight boards.
Hear from Aubrielle Harris postgame:
Up Next: CIU's first contest of the New Year takes place on Tuesday, Jan. 2, at 5:30 p.m. as they travel to battle on Truett McConnell (Ga.).
