Belleville, Ill. – This evening the 11th ranked Columbia College women's basketball team was back on the court when they traveled to Belleville, Illinois to take on the 25th ranked Lindenwood University-Belleville Lynx in an AMC matchup. The Cougars stretched their winning streak to double digits as they defeated the Lynx by a final score of 73-63. Columbia improves to 16-5 on the season and 14-1 in conference play.
Neither team was able to get on the board until about three minutes in when the Cougars would strike first. It was a slow first quarter as the Cougars led 8-2 with four minutes to go. However, the Lynx would quickly go on a run cutting the lead to one. Columbia was playing tough defense as they snagged seven steals in the first. The Cougars led 17-11 after one.
Both teams came out exchanging baskets as the second quarter was underway. The Lynx cut the lead to one, then converting on a three point play would go on a 5-0 run to take the lead 25-21 with five and half minutes before the half. Columbia would push right back using a 6-2 run in just over a minute and a half of play as they led 28-27. The game was kept very tight in the final minute of play. Heading into the halftime break it was tied 34-34. Jordan Alford led all scorers with 15 points.
The Cougars came out of the break doing a good job of controlling the game at their pace. After going a perfect 3-3 from beyond the arc to start the half, Columbia led 49-40 midway through the third. Both sides continued to battle as the quarter continued. The Cougars were able to hold a two point lead 55-53 heading into the fourth quarter.
The Lynx would take a one point lead off of a three pointer, but Sarah Walters would quickly fire right back knocking down a three to take the lead back 60-58 with just under seven and half to go in the game. The game was scoreless for the next three and half minutes until a bucket from Ashlee Marlatt broke the silence. Marlatt's bucket was quickly followed by a steal and a breakaway layup from Morgan Brandt giving the Cougars a 64-58 lead. Columbia continued to maintain their composure using a 9-2 run to lead 69-60 with a minute and a half left to play. The Lynx tried to battle back, but the Cougars would dominate the rest of the way to lock in their tenth straight victory by a final score of 73-63.
In a great road win for the Cougars, Jordan Alford led the way with 22 points going 4-6 from beyond the arc, as well as recording five rebounds, four assists, and four steals. In addition, Mai Nienhueser had 17 points and six rebounds. Ashlee Marlatt dished out a team high five assists, while Morgan Brandt grabbed a team high nine rebounds on the night.
Columbia College is back in action on Saturday, January 27th when they host the William Woods (Mo.) University Owls in an AMC matchup. The game is set to tip-off at 1:00 p.m. in Southwell Complex.
