Koalas Fall to Keiser in Basketball Season Opener

Columbia, SC (Oct. 28) -- The Columbia College (SC) women's basketball team suffered a 75-51 season-opening loss to Keiser University, Thursday (Oct. 28) at Porter Gym in Columbia.

Carnesia Wells led four Columbia College players in double-figures with 16. Dynasia Jackson had 12 points, Zhayla Adams scored 11, including going 3-for-3 from behind the arc, and Wynter Webb came off the bench to score 10 second-half points for the Koalas.

Elise Ellison-Coons had 19 points-13 rebounds, and Angela Denis dropped in 18 points with 15 rebounds to lead the Seahawks in the win. 

The teams field goal percentages were close to even for the game with Columbia College shooting 30.2 percent compared to 31 percent for Keiser.

Columbia College was more successful from three-point land, connecting on 7-of-19 (36.8%) while Keiser hit 4-of-15 (26.7%)

The difference in the ball game undoubtedly came on the boards, with the Seahawks outrebounding the Koalas 72-33.

After falling behind 6-2 in the first minute of the game, Keiser used a 5-0 run over the next minute and a half to take a one-point lead, 7-6. 

After the Koalas took a regained the lead, 8-7, at the 6:30 mark, the Seahawks took the lead for good, 9-8, at the 6:15 mark and finished the first stanza up by 13, 26-13.

Columbia College could not find any offense in the second quarter scoring just four points in the 10 minutes.  Keiser added 14 points in the quarter to take the 40-17 lead into the half.

The Koalas scored the first 9-of-11 points of the third quarter to cut the 23-point halftime lead to 15, 29-42. Columbia College held the Seahawks to 4-of-14 from the field (28.6%) while shooting 8-of-14 for 57.1% in the quarter.  The Koalas won the quarter 22-18.

Keiser outscored Columbia College 17-12 in the final quarter en route to the victory.

Columbia College will return to the hardwood next Saturday, Nov. 6, when they travel to Truett McConnell to open Appalachian Athletic Conference play.