Lady Koalas Edge Bluefield to Remain Unbeaten

BLUEFIELD, Va. - The Columbia College women's basketball team held off a late rally from Bluefield University to go on to edge the Rams 78-75 on the road to remain unbeaten on the season. The win puts the Koalas at 7-0 overall and 2-0 in the AAC to continue the best start to a season in Columbia history.

Columbia got out to a nice 20-13 lead after the first quarter before the teams combined for 46 points in the second quarter with each scoring 23 apiece as the Koalas led 43-36 over the Rams at the break. CC would then jump back to a quick 9-point lead on Kindan Dawson's three early in the third before BU went on a 12-0 run to take their first lead at 49-46 midway through the third. CC, though, then finished the quarter on a 13-6 run to lead 59-55 going into the fourth.

In the fourth, Bluefield would rally again going up 69-67 with 4:30 to play before an "AND-1" from junior guard Makayla Street put CC back in front. Consecutive layups from Tysonia Lowe and Keyshuna Fair followed by another AND-1 from Anaya Muhammad put CC up 77-71 with just over a minute to play. BU would climb to 77-75 but Columbia would hold them off for their closest win of the season shooting 38 percent from the floor and making 7 more threes than the Rams.

Street and Muhammad each led the Koalas with 18 points apiece in the win with Street shooting 7 of 8 with 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 4 steals while Muhammad made four 3-pointers, had 3 rebounds, 2 assists and a block. Also scoring in double figures was Fair as she had 14 points and 7 rebounds while point guard, Dawson, finished with 10 points, 4 rebounds and 2 steals. Lowe added 11 points as well with 8 rebounds and 2 assists. Forward Kamya Hatten led CC with 9 rebounds while scoring 6 points, with 2 assists, 2 steals, and a block.

The Koalas will next return to action on Wednesday when they go back on the road to face Milligan University (TN) for a 5:30 pm tip.