CLEVELAND, Ga. - CIU women's basketball took the court against Truett McConnell University (Ga.) for their first Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) contest of the New Year. Even with a second-half push, the Rams fell 75-54. They are now 3-8 overall and 2-7 in AAC play. 

Despite Keniah Watkins giving the Rams the first lead of the game, their offense started slow and trailed 21-8 after the first quarter. CIU added 12 more in the second period, but it was not enough to overcome Truett's 22-point lead before intermission. 

Fresh from the Christmas break, Mariah Leinbach contributed eight of the Rams' 16 points in the third to outscore the Bears 16-11. A fourth-quarter push proved CIU's resilience as they added 18 more, highlighted by Bethany Rymer's eight. However, the slow first half would result in a 75-54 loss for the Rams. 

Shooting 50% from the field, Rymer chalked up 18 points and was one rebound shy of a double-double with nine. Leinbach was the other Ram in double-digit points with 15. Alicia Slaughter and Watkins were strong off the glass, with six and seven rebounds, respectively.