Lady Koalas Hold Off Truett McConnell

COLUMBIA, S.C. - The Columbia College women's basketball team got off to a fast start and went on to hold off a late run from Truett McConnell University (GA) to defeat the Bears 67-53 from the Godbold Center Wednesday night.

The second straight win for the Koalas improves them to 10-11 on the season and 6-7 in the AAC conference.

CC got out to a strong 10-0 start before leading 17-6 at the end of the opening quarter. TMU rallied in the second quarter clawing their way back to within two before Columbia took a 35-26 lead at the break.

The third quarter saw the Lady Bears (4-17, 3-10 AAC) step up their defense and limit the Koalas to just 12 points as Columbia would hold just a 47-41 lead going into the fourth. Then, even as TMU trimmed the Koala lead down to two at 55-53 at the 3:30 mark, Columbia would step up their game shutting out the Bears over the final 3 minutes to end the game on a 12-0 run to get the win.

Columbia was led by a season-high 16 points from senior guard Tameah Gaddis while she grabbed four steals, 3 rebounds and an assist. Fellow guard, junior Anaya Muhammad, finished with 15 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, two steals and a block while freshman forward Natalie Pitts also finished in double figures with 10 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and a block. 

Sophomore point guard Makiah Thompson notched nine points with 8 assists and two steals while junior guard Lauren Wearbon added 6 points, 6 rebounds and 3 steals. Junior forward Shandrea Pringle and freshman guard Krislyn Wilder also combined for 10 points and 7 rebounds with a Pringle block. 

Columbia will next head on the road north to Tennessee to battle Bryan College on Friday at 4:00 pm.