Hot Shooting Columbia Slips Past Golden Tigers

Columbia, South Carolina- Columbia College outshot the Brenau basketball team 89-74 loss in Appalachian Athletic Conference play on Saturday.

The host Koalas shot a blistering 55% (32-58) from the field and 86% (10-12) from three point range in a high-scoring affair.

Columbia shot 71% (10-14) in the first quarter to take an early 31-17 lead. The Golden Tigers responded as Celine Vega hit back to back three pointers to start the second quarter. Maddy Zaferatos also hit two three-pointers during the run, and then a third Zaferatos three pointer gave Brenau a 39-37 edge late in the period.

However, after halftime, the home team resumed their torrid shooting to outscore Brenau 21-10 in the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, Brenau again made a run as two Maggie Bolt three-pointers cut the deficit to 62-60, but the Koalas went on another shooting run to pull away with the victory.

"Columbia came out on fire in the first quarter," said head coach Kris Stewart. "I was proud of how our bench responded in the second and fourth quarters, but Columbia never stopped making shots and that was the difference in the game".

Jane Lester led Brenau with 18 points and eight rebounds, while Zaferatos posted a career-high 11 points and four assists. Bolt added a career-high nine points, while Dyiesha Brown chipped in 10 points and five rebounds.

Jenesai Mohammed led Columbia with 22 points.

Brenau (3-2 overall, 1-1 AAC) next hosts Truett-McConnell College (2-2 overall, 1-1 AAC) on Wednesday at 5:30 pm in Gainesville.