COLUMBIA, S.C. - CIU women's basketball hosted Montreat College (N.C.) at the Moore Fitness Center for a midweek conference matchup. After a tight first half, the visiting team started to pull ahead, and the Rams ultimately fell 59-47. 

Game Recap: The lead bounced back and forth throughout the first period, with CIU holding a seven-point edge after a layup by Mariah Leinbach (18-11, 1:27). However, Montreat finished the first strong, going on a 7-0 run to even the score at 18-18 by halftime. The second period was a defensive battle, with both teams struggling to score. Montreat edged ahead with less than a minute to play, taking a 27-24 lead into the break.

Back-to-back threes from Leinbach and Bethany Rymer gave the Rams a 35-32 lead, but Montreat quickly answered, regaining the lead at the 5-minute mark. The Cavaliers extended their advantage, taking an 11-point lead into the final quarter. Zhani Thompson and Katlynn Chinn helped CIU make a push early in the fourth, cutting the deficit to 48-41, but the Rams couldn't overcome the gap and fell 59-47.

Thompson led CIU with 12 points and three blocks with seven rebounds. Leinbach added eight points and eight rebounds, while Irene Were anchored the defense with nine boards.

Up Next: CIU takes on Kentucky Christian University on Saturday, Feb. 8, at 2 p.m. EST in the Moore Fitness Center.