Box Score Bladwin, Kan. – The 16th ranked Columbia College women's basketball team was back in action tonight when they traveled to Baldwin, Kansas to face 10th ranked Baker University in a nonconference matchup. The Cougars fell to the Wildcats by a final score of 84-78 and move to 2-1 on the season.
To start the game Columbia jumped to a quick 5-2 lead. It was a very tight game throughout the first quarter. Steady defense was played by both sides as they made each other work for every point. The Cougars were looking to clean it up heading into the second quarter as they had nine turnovers and trailed 17-11.
Columbia came out ready to go as they went on a 10-0 run and caused four Baker turnovers to start the second quarter. With five and half minutes to go in the half, Sarah Walters knocked down her second three of the quarter to extend their lead 26-22. With two minutes to go before the break the game was tied at 30. The Cougars were taking advantage of getting to the line as they were 12 for 15, an impressive 80 percent. Columbia's aggressiveness to get to the line was a key factor in keeping this game close throughout the half as Columbia trailed 34-32 going into the halftime break.
Raegan Wieser scored the first seven points for the Cougars as they took the lead 39-34 and caused two quick turnovers from Baker to start the third quarter. The Cougars had the hot start to the quarter, but Baker would come right back as they went on an 8-0 run to take the lead 45-42 with four and half to go in the quarter. Baker would hold the lead the remainder of the quarter, but the Cougars were not fading away as they trailed by only two points, 53-51, with one quarter left to play.
Baker went on a 4-0 run to start the final quarter, but Walters and Wieser answered quickly knocking down back to back threes to tie the game 57-57. As the game was kept close, Baker held the lead 71-66 with just under four minutes left in the game. Baker knocking down their free throws late maintained their lead and the Cougars were unable to overcome Baker down the stretch as they fell 84-78.
Columbia was led by Raegan Wieser who recorded a new career high of 30 points going 10 for 19 from the field, 4 for 6 from beyond the arc, and 6 for 7 from the charity stripe. Sarah Walters also had a big game going 5-10 from the field, 4-7 from three, and a perfect 4-4 from the line. Morgan Brandt recorded 11 points and grabbed nine rebounds to round out the top scorers on the night. In addition, Alexis Uffmann handed out five assists in the contest.
The Cougars are back in action Thursday, November 16th, when they host St. Louis College of Pharmacy in their first AMC matchup of the season. The game is set to tip-off at 5:30 p.m. in Southwell Complex.
