ROCK HILL, S.C. - The Clinton College women's basketball team started off their first season under coach Toccara Toland with back-to-back wins over nearby NAIA AAC foes Columbia International (SC) and Brenau University (Ga.) over the weekend from Rock Hill.

CC vs. CIU

The Lady Bears got off to a terrific start leading 21-9 after the first quarter Friday evening against CIU (0-1). The Rams then made a rally outscoring the Bears 18-14 in the second to trail 35-27 at the break. CIU kept up their momentum in the third quarter topping the Bears 21-12 and heading into the fourth extending their lead to three at 50-47. However, Clinton would then step up their game going on a game-ending 31-14 run to defeat the Lady Rams 

The Bears struggled from three-point range, however, shooting just 20 percent as junior guard Tameah Gaddis made all three of the treys as she finished with a team-high 17 points along with 3 rebounds, 2 steals and a block.

Finishing with a double-double was senior forward Diamond Moore-Heath tallying 15 points and 11 rebounds while junior guard Jala Hutchins finished with 12 points, 4 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 assists. Junior Guard Jabrica Leslie added 13 points off the bench with 5 rebounds while senior forward Kourtney English led the Bears with 13 rebounds along with 5 points.

Guards Kayla Pope, a senior, and junior Akiyonna Joiner (pictured below) combined for 12 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 7 steals with Joiner grabbing five of them. 

CC vs. BU 

The Golden Bears then faced off with Brenau (0-2) on Saturday afternoon defeating the Tigers 72-67 to improve to 2-0. Moore-Heath led the charge recording another double-double of 17 points and 14 rebounds with 2 steals while English also picked up a double-double posting 11 points and 12 boards with 3 blocks. Gaddis again shot the ball well finishing with 14 points on 6 of 9 shooting with 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks.

The Guard trio of Pope, Hutchins, and Leslie combined for 20 points, 10 rebounds and 5 steals while Pope added 3 blocks with her 8 points.

Clinton will next be in action on Wednesday when they go on the road to face another AAC foe in Bluefield University at 6 pm.