Columbia, Mo. – Tonight the 18th ranked Columbia College women's basketball team was back in action when they hosted the 13th ranked Lyon (Ark.) College Scots in the AMC Game of the Week. The Cougars upset the Scots by a final score of 77-76 and improved to 11-5 on the season and 9-1 in conference play.
Lyon took the quick 4-0 lead to start the game as the Cougars were trying to settle in. Raegan Wieser was able to get Columbia on the board as she sank two free throws. Wieser's free throws propelled the Cougars on a 6-0 run to take the lead 6-4 midway through the first quarter. However, Lyon's offense was clicking as they went on a 15-0 run to take the lead 19-6. Sparked by an 'and one' play from Geena Stephens, Columbia went on an 11-2 run in the last two and half minutes to end the first quarter trailing 17-21.
To start the second quarter the Cougars came out taking advantage of their ability to get to the rim as they went on an 8-0 run to lead 25-22. The Scots quickly tied the game at 27 with five minutes left in the half. Lyon took control as they led 39-27 after another 15-0 run. In the final two minutes of the half Mai Nienhueser led the Cougars as she scored their next six points cutting the Scot's lead to 10 with one minute remaining. Jordan Alford ended the half on a buzzer beater to cut Columbia's deficit to single digits as they trailed 35-44 heading into halftime.
Alford picked up right where she left off as she scored the Cougars first four points of the quarter cutting down the lead to six. Columbia continued to battle throughout the quarter keeping themselves in the game. The Cougars would not let the Scots out of their sights as they got within two points in the final seconds of the quarter. Lyon would end the quarter knocking down two free throws to lead 60-56 heading into the final quarter.
The Cougars brought their energy with them into the final quarter. Columbia was not giving up as they continued to fight. They were able to tie the Scots at 72 with five and half to go in the game. The Cougars continued their run as they took their first lead since early in the first quarter. Columbia led 76-72 with two minutes remaining. Lyon was able to tie the game for the fourth time as it was 76-76 with 26 seconds left. Alford was able to drive, splitting a double team to earn herself a pair of free throws with 5.1 seconds to go. Alford knocked down one of two from the line to give the Cougars a one point lead. Columbia was able to hold off Lyon in the final seconds to upset the Scots 77-76.
Columbia was led by Jordan Alford as she recorded a new career high with 29 points, along with seven rebounds and five assists. In addition, Raegan Wieser had 17 points and eight rebounds, Mai Nienhueser and Geena Stephens both chipped in 12 points each to round out the top performers for the Cougars.
Columbia College is back in action on Saturday, January 6th when they host Central Baptist (Ark.) College in an AMC matchup. The game is set to tip-off at 1:00 p.m.
