Lady Koalas Oust Bryan, improve to 8-1

COLUMBIA, S.C. - The Columbia College women's basketball team continued to make school history as they defeated AAC foe Bryan College (TN) at home on Saturday afternoon to improve to 8-1 on the season. The win over Bryan is the first in school history while the 8-1 start is the best ever.

Sophomore guard Tysonia "Sunshine" Lowe led the Koalas with 22 points on 9 of 12 shooting along with five assists and 3 steals while senior guard Keyshuna Fair put up 18 points and 3 rebounds on three treys.

Junior wing Makayla Street also chipped in 10 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and a block off the bench while senior forward Tamyra Davis posted 8 points and 5 rebounds.

The Lady Koalas shot an impressive 47 percent from the floor, but just 21% from behind-the-arc while out-rebounding the Lions 44-43 and forcing 22 Bryan turnovers. Bryan shot over 43 percent for the game and 30% from 3-pt range. Point guard Layla Wall led CC with six assists along with 5 points and 4 rebounds while junior forward De'Asia Feaster added 6 rebounds and 5 points as well. Guards Kindan Dawson and senior Callie Hermansen combined for 8 points and 7 rebounds off the bench with Dawson also adding 5 assists.

A high-scoring first half saw the Lady Lions lead 21-18 after the first quarter before the Koalas put up 28 points in the second to take a 46-41 halftime edge. The third quarter then saw BC outscore Columbia 20-15 as the teams entered the fourth tied at 61 apiece. Columbia then got out to a 6 point lead at 69-63 with just under 8 minutes to play before Bryan rallied to tie the game at 74 with 3 minutes to go. CC then held on for the thrilling 3-point victory.

The Koalas improve to 3-1 in the AAC and in a tie for 2nd place while Bryan fell to 3-4 and 2-2 in the league.

The women will next be in action on Tuesday evening when they go across town to battle rival CIU at 5:30 pm.