PIKEVILLE, Ky. — CIU women's basketball opened Appalachian Athletic Conference play on Saturday, falling 92–55 to preseason league favorite Pikeville.

CIU (1–5, 0–1 AAC) struggled to slow down a hot-shooting Pikeville squad that built a 25–11 lead after the first quarter and carried a 48–26 advantage into halftime. Pikeville continued to extend its margin in the second half behind consistent perimeter shooting.

Katie Johnson led the Rams with 12 points, while Magdalena Mihaljevic added eight points and three assists. Selah George chipped in seven points and six rebounds, and Sian Banks provided eight points off the bench. CIU finished with 37 rebounds, including 11 on the offensive end.

Sadie Burnette knocked down two threes in the second quarter, contributing six points, while Aubrielle Harris added four points and four rebounds. Katlynn Chinn finished with three points, four rebounds, and two assists.

Pikeville controlled the game with a 15-of-39 effort from beyond the arc and outscored CIU 27–19 in the third quarter to put the contest out of reach.

CIU returns to Columbia for its next AAC matchup on Wednesday, Nov. 19, hosting Montreat at 5:30 p.m. ET.