Columbia, Mo. – Last night the Columbia College women's basketball team was able to pick up their first win of the season in an 89-59 win over Mount Mercy University in the Cougars vs. Cancer Tip-Off Classic presented by Cost Cutters. The Cougars were back at it again tonight on the second day of the tournament as they took on the Culver-Stockton (Mo.) College Wildcats. The Cougars were able to defeat the Wildcats by a final score of 79-69 and improved to 2-0 on the season.
To start the game Geena Stephens scored the first bucket for the Cougars to send them on an 11-4 run to take the early lead. Columbia controlled the tempo in the first quarter causing six Wildcat turnovers. Offense was clicking for the Cougars as they led at the end of the first quarter 26-13.
Columbia carried their momentum right into the second quarter as Sarah Walters knocked down a three on their first possession of the quarter. Raegan Wieser followed right behind Walters, grabbing a three of her own and putting the Cougars up 32-15. Columbia continued to find the bucket as the quarter progressed and the Wildcats were struggling to slow down Columbia's offense. Columbia was 19 for 40 from the field and 4 for 14 from the three point line as they led 44-27 going into halftime. Morgan Brandt (15) and Raegan Wieser (11) both tallied double-digits going into the break.
To start the third quarter the Wildcats went on a 5-0 run as they chipped away at the Cougar's lead. The Wildcats would cut the lead to ten three times in the quarter, but were not able to get over that hump as they trailed 62-52 at the end of the third. Raegan Wieser was a key piece in helping the Cougars keep their lead as she had 11 third quarter points not allowing the Wildcats to cut the lead to single digits. The Wildcats were able to keep their offense rolling into the fourth quarter, but struggled to stop the Cougars on the offensive end. The Wildcats were finally able to break that double-digit lead with two minutes to go as the score was 73-66 late in the game. Columbia was able to hold them off down the stretch and go 2-0 on the weekend with a 79-69 victory.
Columbia was led by Morgan Brandt who recorded her second double-double of the season with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Raegan Wieser had a career high 22 points on the night, while Ashlee Marlatt (15) was also in double-digits. In addition, Alexis Uffmann handed out seven assists.
Following the conclusion of the tournament, the 2017 All-Classic team was announced. For her efforts this weekend, Morgan Brandt was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player. The rest of the all-classic team consists of Alexis Uffmann (Columbia College), Peyton Greenlee (William Woods), Jasmine Brown (William Woods), Nyawal Dak (Mount Mercy), and Courteney Sailor (Culver-Stockon).
The Cougars are back in action Tuesday, November 14th, when they travel to Baldwin, Kansas to take on Baker University. The game is set to start at 7 p.m.
