ASHEVILLE, N.C. - The CIU women's basketball team traveled to the mountains of western North Carolina for their first Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) game of the 2024-25 season on Wednesday. CIU faced Montreat College (N.C.) in the opener and despite a promising start, the Rams could not keep pace with the Cavaliers and ultimately fell 87-56.

Game Recap: The Rams got on the board with two free throws from Mariah Leinbach, and a layup by Madison Hatcher put CIU in front, 4-3. However, as the game progressed, Montreat began to take control, ending the first quarter with a 25-10 lead. In the second quarter, CIU managed just 13 points, six of which came from Hatcher, leaving the Rams trailing 50-23 at halftime.

The Rams kept things competitive in the third quarter, as Montreat only outscored them 20-16. Katlynn Chinn contributed six points, while Irene Ware added four. Off the bench, Tonaja Lester and Jerchel Geathers-Washington made a strong impact in the fourth quarter, scoring eight and six points, respectively, helping CIU to a 17-point final period. Despite their efforts, the Rams couldn't close the gap and fell 87-56.

Leading scorers for CIU included Chinn, Hatcher, Lester, and Geathers-Washington, each with eight points. Ware was active on the boards with five rebounds, while Jessica North and Hatcher contributed three steals apiece in the Rams' season-opening conference contest.

Up Next: The Rams will continue conference play by hosting Tennessee Wesleyan University on Saturday, Nov. 16, at 2 p.m.