COLUMBIA, S.C. - CIU women's basketball hosted Reinhardt University (Ga.) at the Moore Fitness Center for a Tuesday night Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) matchup. After a competitive first quarter, Reinhardt took control, handing the Rams a 71-46 loss in their final AAC game of the semester. 

Game Recap: Reinhardt opened the game with a 7-0 run before Irene Were put CIU on the board with two free throws. The Rams began to chip away at the lead, ending the first quarter down 16-12 after a layup from Madison Hatcher. Hatcher and Mariah Leinbach powered the offense in the second quarter, combining for 16 points, but CIU trailed 40-28 at halftime.

In the third quarter, Hatcher and Leinbach scored six early points to bring the Rams within seven (40-33, 7:20), but Reinhardt responded with a surge to pull away. CIU managed only five additional points in the frame, entering the final quarter down 54-39. Despite a six-point effort from Magdalena Mihaljevic in the fourth, the Rams struggled offensively and fell 64-46.

Hatcher led CIU with 17 points, four assists, and three steals. Leinbach added 14 points, while Jessica North grabbed a team-high seven rebounds. 

Up Next: CIU hosts fellow NCCAA member Clinton College (S.C.) on Thursday, Dec. 12, at 6 p.m. EST before heading into winter break.