Jackson, Tenn. – This afternoon the Columbia College women's basketball team traveled to Jackson, Tennessee, to take on sixth ranked Vangaurd (Calif.) University in the Jackson Rotary Invitational. The 20^th ranked Cougars were able to improve to 5-1 on the season after upsetting the Lions 55-53 in a closely contested game.

Columbia College got off to a quick start in the first quarter and jumped out to an early 9-2 lead in the game. However, midway through the quarter the Lions were able to get there offense going after Christina Gerostergiou made a three point shot that sent Vanguard on 22-5 run. The Cougars had trouble finding the basket in the second quarter and they found themselves down 34-23 heading into halftime.

Columbia College came out in the second half and looked like a totally different team. They played swarming defense and forced the Lions to turn the ball over three times in the first three minutes of the half. The Lions made a quick bucket at the start of the third but the Cougars scored the next 10 points and cut the lead down to four.  

The Lions held a three point lead heading into the final quarter but it was clear that Columbia College had all the momentum after outscoring them 18-10 in the third. The Cougars continued to play great defense with Jordan Alford leading the way. She picked up two quick steals at the start of the fourth and Columbia was finally able to take the lead for the first time since the beginning of the game.

The Cougars looked as if they were going to pull away in the final minutes of the contest but the Lions fought back and tied the game at 53 with just over a minute remaining in the fourth quarter. However, Vangaurd had trouble taking care of the ball all game and that remained true through the final minute as they turned the ball over with 14 seconds left to give Columbia a chance at the upset.

After forcing the turnover, the Cougars quickly called a time out to set up a play. They were able to inbound the ball and work it around before finding Morgan Brandt on the three point line. Brandt was unable to get her shot to fall but Mai Nienhueser grabbed the rebound and put it back up just before the buzzer sounded to finish off the Lions.

The Cougars had three players finish in double figures including Jordan Alford who had a game high 17 points. Additionally, Mai Nienhueser added 12 points and Raegan Wieser had 11 points, and a team high 10 rebounds, to round out the top contributors for Columbia.

The Cougars are back in action tomorrow morning when they take on 25^th ranked Carroll (Mont.) College on the final day of the Jackson Rotary Invitational. The game is set to tip off at 8:30 a.m.