Koala Women Take Unbeaten Milligan to the Wire in Close Loss

COLUMBIA, S.C. - The Columbia College women's basketball team put up a great effort in taking the top team in the conference, Milligan University (TN), to their closest game of the season in falling 72-64 from the Godbold Center Saturday afternoon.

Junior guard Anaya Muhammad led the Koalas with 22 points (3 of 8 from deep) along with 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and a block while freshman forward Natalie Pitts recorded 10 points and 7 rebounds.

Columbia got off to a terrific start leading 18-6 midway through the opening quarter. Milligan got to within six to close the quarter. A high-scoring 2nd quarter then ensued with MU outscoring CC 27-20 to take a 39-38 halftime edge. Milligan then took charge outscoring CC 20-11 in the third quarter to take a 10-point advantage into the fourth.

Columbia would then rally in the fourth clawing back to get as close as three as they trimmed a 14-point deficit going on a 13-2 run to get to 65-62 with 2:15 to play. However, a missed three to tie on CC's end was followed by a Milligan three to put them back up by six and all but end the game.

MU shot 44.5% overall but just 16.5% from three while the Koalas shot nearly 37% overall but only 31 percent from three. The Koalas also forced 14 Buffaloe turnovers while grabbing 8 steals and 40 rebounds.

Also playing well off the bench was senior guard Tameah Gaddis with 9 points and two assists while fellow guard, sophomore Makiah Thompson posted eight points with five rebounds, four assists and a steal. The trio of forwards Shandrea Pringle, freshman Ronni Harper and senior De'Asia Feaster also combined for 15 points, 13 rebounds, as well as two steals from Harper.

Top AAC team Milligan improves to 13-6 overall and 12-0 in the conference while Columbia falls to 8-10 on the season and 4-7 in the AAC.

The Koala ladies will next be in action on Wednesday when they go on the road for their final non-conference game to face North Greenville Univ. at 5:00 pm.