Women's Rally Falls Short in Loss at Brenau

GAINESVILLE, Ga. - The Columbia College women's basketball team rallied in the second half but fell four points short, 72-68, on the road in north Georgia at conference foe Brenau University (Ga.) Wednesday evening.

Brenau got off to a fast start taking a 23-12 lead on the Koalas after the first quarter. A low-scoring second quarter then ensued with the teams combining for just 18 points as BU led 33-20 at halftime. Columbia then scored 19 points in the third quarter but still trailed 50-39 going into the fourth. The Lady Tigers then took their biggest lead of the game at the 7-minute mark going up by 16 points at 55-39. 

However, Columbia began their rally scoring a remarkable 29 points over the next 7 minutes, but could not get over the hump. CC rallied all the way back to tie the game at 63 on sophomore guard Makiah Thompson's layup and free throw with 2 minutes to play to complete a 24-8 run. However, Brenau then went on a game-ending 9-2 run before the Koalas added a late three as time expired. 

CC outscored the Tigers 29-22 in the fourth quarter but shot just 29 percent overall and only 21.5% from three. BU then went just 4 of 21 from three (19%) but shot 42.5% overall while making 22 free throws leading to the difference in the game. Columbia also forced 25 Brenau turnovers.

Thompson led the Koalas with 22 points along with 2 rebounds, 2 steals, one assist and a block while senior shooting guard Tameah Gaddis put up 13 points with 3 steals. Freshman forward Natalie Pitts also scored 8 points with 7 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal while junior guard Tysonia Lowe added six points.

The Koalas fell to 10-13 overall and 6-9 in the AAC but remained in 8th place in the league while Brenau improves to 4-10 in the conference and 9-13 overall.

Columbia will next go back on the road on Saturday when they head to Kentucky to take on Pikeville University for a 2PM tip.