Lady Koalas Cruise Past Rival CIU

COLUMBIA, S.C. - The Columbia College women's basketball team cruised past AAC rival Columbia International 86-67 on the road Tuesday evening in their annual crosstown meeting.

A hot-shooting opening quarter saw the Koalas lead the Rams by five, 20-15. A second quarter run from CIU saw the Lady Rams outscore the Koalas 19-13 to take a narrow 34-33 lead at the break.

However, Koala head coach Toccara Toland made some halftime adjustments as Columbia came out of the locker room with 21 points outscoring CIU 21-12 in the 3rd quarter including a pivotal 10-0 run to end the frame and go up 54-46.

The Ladies then exploded for 32 points in the fourth using a strong early-quarter run to quickly go up by 14 points at 66-52. CC went on to outscore the Rams 32-21 to grab the 19-point win.

The Lady Koalas shot 40 percent overall while making 11 threes and shooting a season-best 44% from behind-the-arc. CC held the Rams to just 14 percent shooting from deep and only 33.5% overall.

Columbia was led by 15 points from Anaya Muhammad and a season-high 21 points and six assists from redshirt freshman point guard Makiah Thompson. Also playing well was senior forward De'Asia Feaster with 13 points and six rebounds while senior shooting guard Tameah Gaddis scored a season-high 11 points with three 3s on the night as well as 2 assists and four boards.

Junior guard Tysonia "Sunshine" Lowe also added seven points and five rebounds off the bench while starting forwards Lauren Wearbon and Natalie Pitts combined for 8 points and 8 rebounds.

Columbia improves to 5-3 overall and 3-1 in the conference to move into sole 5th place while CIU fell to 3-6 and 2-2 in the AAC.

The Koalas next return to action on Tuesday, Dec. 2 when they head to Greensboro, NC to battle Div. I UNCG in an exhibition at 11 am on ESPN+.
CC will also play at Georgia Gwinnett College next Thursday, Dec. 4 as well.