Cavaliers Survive Late Koala Rally to Sweep the Season Series, 58-55

COLUMBIA, SC- For the second time in ten days, Columbia College and Montreat College got together in Women's Basketball action, this time in the capital city of South Carolina. The Cavaliers took the first meeting on January 17 by a score of 72-61. 

The Cavaliers had to sweat it out this time, narrowly escaping the Koalas, 58-55, to sweep the regular season series. 

THE BASICS:

Columbia falls to 9-12 overall and 6-10 in Appalachian Athletic Conference play.

Tysonia Lowe, making her third straight start of the year, led the Koalas on offense with 13 points; she was joined in double-figures by Carnasia Wells who posted 10 points. 

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Columbia led the entire first half and carried a 39-36 advantage into the break. From there, Montreat took control of the half and eventually led by five to close out the third quarter. 

Head coach JJ Green called a quick timeout with the hosts seemingly in control behind a 46-38 lead. Following that timeout, the Koalas went on a 6-2 run to pull within striking distance at 48-46. 

That was as close as they'd get, though, as the Cavaliers once again pulled away behind an outstanding individual effort from Virginia Edmondson down the stretch as she took control of the offense and got her teammates where they needed to be.

Despite leading 58-52 with 13 seconds left, the Cavaliers wouldn't be let out of Godbold gym without a scare, as Wells knocked down her second triple of the afternoon to bring the Koalas within one score. After that, the Cavs inbounded the ball after using their final timeout to advance and dribbled out the clock for the win.

UP NEXT:

The Koalas will hit the court again on February 3 when they head to Pikeville for more AAC play at 5:30 PM.