COLUMBIA, S.C. - CIU women's basketball hosted cross-town rival Columbia College (S.C.) to kick off Thanksgiving break on Tuesday night. Despite a season-high of 70 points, the Rams fell to Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) rival 91-70. 

Game Recap: The Koalas struck first, but a triple from Madison Hatcher evened the score early in the contest. However, the visiting team started to pull away and lead by 11 after the first period. The Rams doubled their first-period performance with 16 points, six coming off the bench from Miranda Medley. 

CIU had an explosive third quarter, dropping 27 points in a comeback attempt. Hatcher, a veteran guard on the squad, added 14 of her own after going 3-for-4 from behind the arc. Despite the impressive offensive outing, the Rams still trailed by 15 heading into the final period. Katlynn Chinn added 10 of the team's 19 fourth-quarter points, but the Koalas kept their foot on the gas to take the first cross-town rivalry matchup. 

Hatcher led the team with a season-high 23 points, while Mariah Leinbach chipped in 15 on her way to another double-double with 10 rebounds. Chinn was also in double-digits with 10 points and led the team with four steals. 

Up Next: CIU is back on the road on Wednesday, Dec. 4, to take on Bluefield College (Va.) at 5:30 pm EST.