Columbia, Mo. – The 11^th-ranked Columbia Cougar women's basketball team fell to No. 10 Freed-Hardeman University this afternoon by a score of 55-53 in the semifinal round of the American Midwest Conference (AMC) postseason tournament. The Cougars fall to 27-5 overall with the loss while the Lions improve their record to 26-6.

The Cougars trailed the Lions throughout the first quarter until a 6-0 run gave Columbia an 11-9 lead at the 3:45 mark. Corri Hamilton got the run started when she converted the three point play and Ashlee Marlatt capped it off with a three pointer after a huge steal by Morgan Brandt. The teams traded points from there, but the Cougars would hold a 15-13 advantage at the end of the first quarter.

The Lions opened the second quarter with an 8-2 run to regain the lead at 21-17, but four straight points by Hamilton tied the game at 21. Freed-Hardeman's Kenley Crowell responded with a three, however Petrolina Chilaka rushed down the floor and hit a three of her own, keeping the score knotted at 24. The teams went back-and-forth over the next five minutes of play, but the Lions would hold a 32-29 advantage at the half after Taleeah Cross sunk 2-of-2 free throws and Carrie Hatchel hit a jumper.

Freed-Hardman shot 43 percent in the half while the Cougars shot just 30 percent. The teams were identical on the boards with 20 rebounds apiece.

The Cougars worked and eventually tied the game up at 35 before taking a 38-37 lead on a three by Caprese Marshall. The lead changed hands three different times from there, but the Cougars would hold a 45-41 advantage at the end of the third quarter.

The Lions quickly regained the lead at 47-45 with a 6-0 run, but the Cougars responded with a 4-0 run to go ahead 49-48 at the 6:16 minute mark. After battling for points, the Lions held a 54-51 lead with 1:41 left to play in the game. Chilaka came up big with a short jumper to pull the Cougars within one. A foul by Columbia sent Kenley Crowell to the line where she made one-of-two to make it 55-53 with 16 seconds on the clock. The Cougars had two opportunities to tie the game, but fell short leaving the Lions with the victory.

Columbia finished shooting 31 percent from the field while Freed-Hardeman shot 35 percent. Hamilton led the Cougars with 13 points and 11 rebounds while Brandt chipped in nine points and 10 rebounds.

Cross led all players with 24 points. 

Columbia will await the conclusion of conference tournaments around the NAIA to see if they will receive an at-large bid to the NAIA National Tournament. A list of this year's participating teams and pairings will be release on Wednesday afternoon and evening.