COLUMBIA, S.C. - Against an up-tempo Montreat team, CIU women's basketball came up short at home 80-40 in a midweek Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) matchup. The Rams fell behind early in the contest and could not stall the Cavaliers' offense to bring their record to 4-15 overall and 3-14 in conference play. 

CIU got on the board in the first period after a pair of free throws from Keniah Watkins following a Montreat 11-0 run to start the game. The Rams only added four more points in the first period to trail by 16 (22-6). Bethany Rymer opened up the second half with a layup in the paint, and Irene Ware came off the bench to add five of her own. CIU outscored Montreat 12-11 in the second but still trailed by 15 at intermission. 

The Cavaliers led by as much as 32 in the third quarter, as CIU only added nine. The Rams attempted to cut the lead as they chipped in 13 more points in the fourth, with seven coming from the hands of Watkins. 

Watkins led the team with 15 points, recording her ninth double-digit game of the season. Mariah Leinbach added eight, going 4-4 from the charity stripe. Were, the newest addition to the squad, came off the bench and recorded six points and four rebounds. Jessica North led the team with seven rebounds.