COLUMBIA, S.C. - CIU women's basketball hosted the University of Pikeville (Ky.) for the first time in program history. Pikeville is the newest Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) addition and received votes in the latest NAIA Top 25 Poll. The Bears took an early lead and maintained this momentum for the rest of the contest. CIU fell 90-34 to move to 3-9 on the season and 2-8 in AAC play.
Pikeville's defense held CIU to just seven points in the first quarter, with four coming from the hands of Mariah Leinbach. The Rams chipped in eight more in the second, thanks to six from Madison Hatcher, but still trailed 50-15 at intermission.
CIU was again held to seven points in the third quarter but made a small push with a much closer 18-12 fourth-quarter margin. Bethany Rymer added eight in the second half of the contest; however, it was not enough to overcome the 90-34 deficit.
Leinbach was the only Ram in double-digits with 10. Rymer collected eight points and six boards, while Hatcher contributed six. CIU struggled from the field, shooting only 22% compared to the Bears' 52%.
Up Next: The Rams are back on the road heading to Gainesville, Ga., to take on Brenau University (Ga.) on Wednesday, Jan. 10, at 5:30 p.m.
