Columbia, Mo. – The long awaited day had finally arrived in Southwell Complex as Cougar basketball was back in action. Tonight the 4^th ranked Columbia College women's basketball team took the court for the first time this season when they hosted the Cardinal Stritch University Wolves in the Cougars vs. Cancer Tip-Off Classic presented by Cost Cutters. The Cougars looked to carry over their success from last season when they went 28-6, claimed the AMC Regular-Season Title, were crowned AMC Tournament Champions, and earned a bid to the National Tournament. Columbia was able to defeat the Wolves by a final score of 72-62 to pick up their first win of the season, while senior Morgan Brandt reached a milestone in her Cougar career as she surpassed 1,000 career points tonight.

It did not take long for the Cougars to get going as the game began. In perfect Brandt fashion, Morgan Brandt would grab an offensive rebound and put it back in to hit her 1,000^th career-point on the nose. While Columbia scored three quick baskets, the Wolves called for a timeout as the Cougars led 12-2 after three minutes of play. As the first quarter progressed, the Wolves chipped back in cutting the score 17-11 with just under two and half in the quarter, while this time Columbia would take a timeout. At the end of the first the Cougars led 19-13. Back to back threes from Sarah Walters and Jordan Alford would get things rolling for Columbia in the second quarter. There were three minutes of scoreless basketball before Cardinal Stritch found the hoop cutting the score to four with under five minutes until the half. A nice drive and kick from Alexis Uffmann would find Ashlee Marlatt who knocked down the three. The following possession Marlatt would return the favor driving and kicking out to Alford who would hit from beyond the arc giving the Cougars a 10 point lead, 33-23. The Wolves grabbed a free throw and another bucket to make it 33-26 at halftime. Columbia shot 42 percent from the field and 33 percent from three, while having nine steals on 12 Wolves turnovers in the half. Brandt went 4-4 with five rebounds, Alford also had eight points and six rebounds, and Walters chipped in eight points of her own.

Columbia started the second half causing a Wolves turnover to gain possession of the ball, where Brandt found Alford who knocked it down for three as the Cougars led 36-26 at the beginning of the half. With 6:30 left in the third, Marlatt sunk another three, causing a Cardinal Stritch timeout as Columbia took an 11 point lead. The Wolves used a 4-0 run to get the lead back into single digits. The Cougars held onto their lead as a strong and-one play from Geena Stephens gave the Cougars a 12 point lead with about four minutes remaining in the third quarter. Cardinal Stritch did not shy away in those four minutes as they found the basket and hit a three at the buzzer making it a four point game, 48-44, Cougars on top heading into the final quarter. The game was tight in the fourth as Columbia held a two point lead a minute and half in. As the Wolves grabbed a bucket, the game was tied at 50. The Cougars would answer with a bucket the next possession and call timeout. Out of the timeout, Columbia was able to force a quick Wolves turnover. The game was once again tied at 52, but Brandt responded right away hitting from three to take the 55-52 lead. The Cougar defense was locking down as Brandt was able to grab a steal on a Wolves inbounds and find Uffmann who hit Mai Nienhueser down the court for an easy two, giving Columbia a 59-52 lead as Cardinal Stritch called another timeout with 4:30 left in the game. With under three to play, Columbia stretched their lead to 13. The Cougars took care of the ball in the final minutes, and the Wolves were forced to foul with a minute and a half to go. Columbia was sent to the line multiple times in the final minute as they secured victory number one of the season 72-62. The Cougars finished shooting 37 percent from the field and 33 percent from three, along with 14 assists and 12 steals.

Columbia was led by Morgan Brandt who recorded a double-double with 23 points and 12 rebounds. Ashlee Marlatt (13) and Jordan Alford (12) were also in double digits, while Marlatt grabbed four rebounds and Alford grabbed eight. Alford also dished out four assists on the night. In addition to Brandt achieving her 1,000^th career point, ending the game with 1,119, she also moved into 7^th place all-time in the career steals leaders list with 174 steals.

The women's basketball team will take the court tomorrow, Saturday, November 3^rd, as they host the Missouri Valley College Vikings in their final game of the Cougars vs. Cancer Tip-Off Classic presented by Cost Cutters. The game will tip-off at 5 p.m. in Southwell Complex.