Lady Koalas Storm Past Paine

COLUMBIA, S.C. - The Columbia College women's basketball team cruised to an easy non-conference win 93-52 over visiting Paine College on Wednesday evening from the Godbold Center.

The Koalas improve to 8-7 on the year while dropping Paine to 3-6.

Sophomore guard Makiah Thompson led the team with a career-high 14 assists in the win which is the most assists in a game for the Koalas in at least five years. She also added six steals and five rebounds with two free throws. Columbia went on to put five players in double-figure scoring on the night in the 41-point win while shooting 53% from the floor and forcing Paine into 25 turnovers on 14 steals.

The Koalas got off to a terrific start leading 14-1 in the first five minutes before leading 26-7 after the opening quarter. CC scored 26 more points in the second quarter to take a 52-28 lead into the break. The Koalas lucky number of the night must have been 26 as they yet again scored 26 points in the third quarter outscoring the Lions by 14 to lead 78-42 after three. Columbia then won the fourth quarter as well 15-12.

Leading the Koalas in points on the night was junior forward Shandrea Pringle with 12 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double while junior guard Lauren Wearbon also scored 12 points with 3 assists and 3 steals. Freshman forward Natalie Pitts finished with 10 points and 3 rebounds as well whle shooting guards Tameah Gaddis and junior Anaya Muhammad also each scored 10 points apiece. 

Freshman guard Krislyn Wilder and senior forward Cecilia Burke each scored 8 points as well while combining for 10 rebounds. CC out-rebounded the Lions 53-35 as well.

Columbia will next go on the road to face Reinhardt on Saturday in AAC action at 2pm before returning home on January 14 to host SMC at 5:00 pm.