Truett Rallies Past Koala Women 60-57

CLEVELAND, Ga. - The Columbia College women's basketball team dropped a close battle at AAC foe Truett McConnell University (Ga.) 60-57 on the road in Georgia Wednesday evening.

A low-scoring first quarter saw the teams score 11 apiece before TMU took a 26-24 halftime lead. The third quarter had the Koalas coming out firing going on a 14-6 run to take their biggest lead of the night at 38-32 with 4 minutes remaining in the quarter. However, the teams would trade buckets for the rest of the quarter to combine for 36 points scoring 18 apiece as the Bears would lead 44-42 going into the fourth.

In the final quarter, the Koalas would rally from a six-point deficit at the 6-minute mark to go on an 11-3 run to retake the lead 55-53 with 90 seconds to play. Unfortunately, TMU wuld hit a late three and make their free throws to close the game on a 7-2 run to steal the home win.

The Koalas shot 36.5% from the floor but made just four 3s on the night at a 26.5% clip while the Lady Bears shot 41.5% overall and added five threes. Columbia was terrific from the free-throw line shooting 13 of 14 (92%). CC also outrebounded TMU 31-24 while grabbing 12 steals off 21 Bear turnovers.

Columbia was led by sophomore guard Makiah Thompson as she finished with 16 points, 3 rebounds and 3 steals to lead the team as the only member in double figures. Junior forward Shandrea Pringle also played well off the bench scoring 8 points with a career-best 12 rebounds and an assist while guards Tysonia Lowe and senior Tameah Gaddis combined for 10 points and 3 rebounds off the bench with Gaddis also adding two steals.

Freshman forward Natalie Pitts also added six points and six rebounds while junior guard Anaya Muhammad chipped in six points as well with four assists and three steals. Junior defensive guard Lauren Wearbon also registered four points with three rebounds, three steals and a block in the defeat. 

The Koala women fall to 6-5 overall and 3-3 in the AAC while TMU improves to 3-7 on the season and 2-5 in conference.

The Koalas will next return home to host Brenau University (Ga.) on Saturday at 1:30 pm.