SPARTANBURG, S.C. — The Columbia International University women's basketball team turned in one of its most complete performances of the season Thursday evening, pulling away in the second half for a 77–64 road win over Spartanburg Methodist at Bridges Arena.

CIU trailed briefly late in the second quarter but responded with a dominant third period, outscoring the Pioneers 28–16 to seize control. The Rams shot 68.8 percent from the field in the third quarter and knocked down six three-pointers during the decisive stretch.

Jerchel Geathers-Washington led CIU with 16 points on 6-of-8 shooting while adding 11 rebounds for a double-double. Bryanna Belton chipped in 12 points off the bench, and Sadie Burnette added 11 points, highlighted by three three-pointers. Katie Johnson finished with 11 points and three assists, while Katlynn Chinn filled the stat sheet with seven points, nine rebounds, five steals, and four assists. Audrey Teasley anchored the paint with a game-high 12 rebounds.

After taking an 18–9 lead at the end of the first quarter, CIU saw Spartanburg Methodist rally in the second to take a four-point halftime advantage. The Rams quickly erased that deficit after the break, opening the third quarter on a run that featured three consecutive made threes and multiple second-chance opportunities.

CIU pushed its lead to as many as 20 points in the fourth quarter and held off a late push from the Pioneers to secure the win. The Rams finished with 61 rebounds — the most in a single game in program history and more than 20 rebounds higher than the previous record — while scoring 38 points in the paint. CIU's bench also made a significant impact, contributing 35 points in the victory.

CIU returns to action on Monday, Feb. 2, when the Rams host Reinhardt University at 5 p.m. inside the Moore Fitness Center.