Box Score Henderson, Tenn. - After a valiant effort in their last matchup on February 22^nd in Columbia, the 11^th-ranked Lady Cougar basketball team turned in another gutsy performance on the road at No. 2 Freed-Hardeman University on Monday night in the American Midwest Conference (AMC) Tournament Championship game. However, it wasn't enough as Freed-Hardeman (32-1) was able to use a timely second half run for an 80-71 victory and earn the tournament championship in their first season in the league. Despite the loss, the Lady Cougars (26-7) will still advance to the NAIA Women's Basketball National Tournament as the AMC tournament and regular season runner-up.

Much like their previous meeting, the two teams traded runs in a back and forth first half. Five different players scored in the opening minutes for Columbia as the score was tied 12-12 early in the first period. The Lady Cougars went on an 8-0 run from there, providing them with their largest lead of the night at 20-12 with 12:59 to play in the half. Freed-Hardeman battled back to take their first lead of the contest at 30-28 on a basket by Haley Newby and would hold the lead for the remainder of the period for a 39-36 advantage at the halftime break. Columbia connected on 47 percent of their attempts (16 of 34) from the field in the half, compared to a 42 percent (15 of 36) shooting clip for the Lady Lions. The frontcourt players dominated for both sides in the first 20 minutes, with Janairrika Bland leading the Lady Cougars with 11 points and six rebounds. FHU's Hayley Newby led all scorers with 13 points in the period.

The see-saw battle continued on into the second half as the Lady Lions took their largest lead of the game at 48-40 at the 16:54 mark. Columbia would answer with an 8-0 run and tie the score on a three-pointer by Aqua Corpening and eventually regain the lead at 50-49 on a jumper by Ashley Fisher with 13:51 to play. The two squads traded baskets over the next five minutes, with the Lady Cougars taking a 62-59 advantage after a layup by Corpening with 8:15 to go in regulation. However, that lead would be short-lived as Freed-Hardeman used a clutch 10-0 run during the next three minutes to take the lead for good on their way to their third win over Columbia this year.

The Lady Cougars finished the game at 44 percent (30 for 68) from the field, while FHU shot 43 percent but hit just 3 of 17 attempts from three-point range. The outcome was largely decided at the free-throw line, where the Lady Lions went 17 of 23 (74 percent) compared to 5 of 9 (56 percent) for Columbia. The Lady Cougars were also whistled for 22 fouls on the night, while Freed-Hardeman finished with 14.

Heather English led five Columbia players in double figures with 15 points, followed by Bland and Fisher with 13 apiece. Corpening added 11 points on 3 of 4 shooting from beyond the arc and Kayla Washington chipped in 10.

The Lady Lions had four players in double figures, led by Hayley Newby with a game-high 26 points and 10 rebounds.

The AMC Postseason awards were handed out following the conclusion of Monday night's game. English and Bland were each named to the First Team All-Conference squad, while Fisher and Tierney Seifert were honorable mention selections. For a complete list of the league's award recipients, visit www.amcsportsonline.com.

Columbia will be idle until the NAIA National Tournament, which will take place in Frankfort, Ky. from March 19-24. The national tournament bracket and pairings will be announced on Wednesday, March 12^th at 7:00 pm. Check back with www.columbiacougars.com for the latest Lady Cougar postseason schedule and information.