COLUMBIA, S.C. - CIU women's basketball collected their third straight NCCAA South Region Women's Basketball Championship on Friday as they dominated Paine College (Ga.) 89-63. The Rams' three NCCAA South Region titles have all come under head coach Danielle Fleming beginning in the 2020-2021 season. Before The Fleming era, the Rams did not have a single postseason win in the history of the program. CIU moves to 18-14 overall with the victory just two wins shy of their first-ever 20-win season. 
 

Saturday's championship was arguably CIU's most dominant win all season, as they opened the game on a 25-2 run and led 33-8 at the end of the first quarter. The Rams continued to demonstrate their offensive firepower in the second period as they scored 58 first-half points. Zhani Thompson scored a career-best 20 points in the half, with 12 coming in the second quarter. As a team, the Rams knocked down a season-high nine 3-pointers in the game's first 20 minutes.

The second half was highlighted by the play of Tearra Cook, who had nine third-quarter points. CIU was outscored by the Lions in both the third and fourth quarters, but Hannah Wilkerson shouldered much of the offensive load in the second half from the foul line knocking down seven second-half free throws. Despite a better half of basketball from Paine, CIU still cruised to an 89-63 victory. 

Cook and Thompson had monster outings, with Cook collecting 22 points and 11 rebounds, while Thompson was a force all over the court with 21 points and 17 rebounds. Jaylyn Twitty stuffed the stat sheet for CIU, picking up 12 rebounds, six assists, five points, two steals, and a block. The Rams had two other players in double-figures, with Daja Taylor adding 12 points and Wilkerson turning in 18.

The Rams hit ten 3-pointers on the afternoon shooting 46% from the field and forcing 15 turnovers.

Hear from head coach Danielle Fleming postgame: 

Up Next: The Rams will head to Winona Lake, Ind. for the NCCAA Women's Basketball National Championship Tournament on Mar. 15-18.