Columbia Women's Rally Falls Short at NGU

GREENVILLE, S.C. - The Columbia College women's basketball team fell 64-57 on the road at Div. II North Greenville University (SC) on Wednesday evening.

The women were led by Anaya Muhammad's team-high 19 points, 4 rebounds, and three 3-pointers. Sophomore guard Makiah Thompson also played well tallying 12 points with six steals and four assists.

NGU got off to a strong start leading 18-9 after the first quarter before going into the half up 33-22. In the third quarter, Columbia would claw their way back trimming their 11-point deficit down to just four points at 38-34 after a 12-5 run with 5 minutes to play in the quarter. However, the Blazers would then go on a run of their own to end the quarter with a 15-point advantage leading 56-41.

In the fourth quarter, Columbia stepped up their defense holding NGU to just 8 points while outscoring them 16-8. Columbia would again cut their deficit from 18 points midway through the fourth all the way down to just six points trailing 63-57 with 33 seconds to play but would run out of time in the end.

The Koalas shot 32 percent overall and 21 percent from three while making 13 of 16 free throws. NGU shot 37.5% overall and only 27 percent from three but out-rebounded the Koalas 44-30. CC also forced NGU into 24 turnovers on 15 steals. Freshman forward Natalie Pitts also added 8 points and 4 rebounds while junior guard Lauren Wearbon scored 7 points with six rebounds and two steals. Guards Tameah Gaddis and Ronnie Harper also combined for 7 points, 5 rebounds and 4 steals on the night.

Columbia fell to 8-11 with the loss while NGU improved to 8-11 as well. CC finished the non-conference portion of their schedule with an even record of 4-4.

The Ladies return to action on Friday when they come home to host Montreat College at 1:00 pm in a reschedule game due to the incoming ice storm.