Lady Koalas Hold off TMU for AAC First Round Win

KINGSPORT, TN - The 8th seeded Columbia College women's basketball team held off #9 Truett McConnell 71-62 to pick up their first AAC Tournament win in over 10 years in the first round of the conference tournament Wednesday from Tennessee.

With their 19th overall win, also a school record, the Koalas (19-11) will advance to Thursday morning's quarterfinals where they will take on top seeded Milligan (21-7) at 10:15 AM from Kingsport, TN.

Sophomore guard Kindan Dawson led the ladies scoring 18 points including 8 big free throws down the stretch along with 8 rebounds, 4 steals and 2 assists in the big win. Columbia last won a tournament game back in the 2012-13 season. 

The Koalas got out to a fast start leading 18-11 after one quarter and 38-27 at the break. A 16-12 third quarter then saw CC take a 54-39 edge into the fourth. The Lady Bears (12-17) would make a run in the 4th quarter getting to as close as 6 points multiple times as they outscored CC 23-17, but Columbia would hold them off every time to secure the 9-point win. CC shot 35% overall and 39 percent from three while Truett was limited to just three 3-pointers and only 31.5% shooting overall.

Three Lady Koalas finished in double-figures along with Dawson as senior forward Tamyra Davis picked up 13 points, 8 rebounds and two steals while senior guard Callie Hermanson totaled 10 points and 4 boards. Second team AAC sophomore guard Sunshine Lowe also led the team with 5 assists along with her 6 points and 5 rebounds while All-Defensive team junior wing Makayla Street and junior guard Jadein Haynes combined for 15 big points off the bench. Haynes chipped in 4 rebounds, with 2 assists and a team-best 5 steals.