Jackson, Tenn. -- This afternoon the fourth ranked Columbia College women's basketball team took the court in Oman Arena as they competed in day one of the 2018 Jackson Rotary Invitational in Jackson, Tennessee. The Cougars faced the number three Campbellsville University (Ky.) Tigers for the seventh time in history. Today's top five matchup is the first in program history for Columbia. The Cougars made a statement this afternoon as they beat the Tigers by a final score of 75-64 to give Campbellsville their first loss of the season as they sit at 5-1, as well as snapping the Tigers three game winning streak against Columbia. The Cougars improve to 5-0 on the season.

A big bomb from Jordan Alford would get things started early for the Cougars. About midway through the first quarter the game was tied up at 12, but a quick 5-0 run from Columbia gave them a 17-11 lead. The Cougars were doing a great job of moving the ball on offense, creating great looks for each other. A strong start for Columbia had them leading 27-16 after one. Alford went 3-3 from deep to surpass her 100^th career three pointer during the first quarter. About three minutes into the second, the Cougars called a timeout, with a 29-18 lead. As the second quarter progressed, the momentum stayed in Columbia's favor as they were displaying excellent court awareness on both ends of the floor. With three and a half to go before halftime, Columbia held a double-digit lead 38-26. To close out the half, Alford finished at the rim giving the Cougars a 43-29 lead at the break. Columbia shot 52 percent from the field and 46 percent from three, with five steals on seven Tiger turnovers. Alford led all scorers going a perfect 5-5 from the field and 3-3 from beyond the arc.

Coming out in the third, the Cougars were looking to maintain their effective offense. The Tigers started the third going on a 5-0 run to cut the lead into single digits, 43-34. The Tigers were hot coming out of the break, but back to back threes from Alford and Ashlee Marlatt quickly gave the Cougars their double-digit lead back, 53-38 with just under five and a half to play in the third. Alexis Uffmann found Morgan Brandt on a great back door cut as Brandt completed the three point play. Followed by a jumper from Sarah Walters the next possession, Columbia took an 18 point lead, 59-41 with about three minutes left in the third. A dominating performance from the Cougars had them holding a 20 point lead, 64-44, heading into the final quarter. In the fourth, the Tigers continued to apply some pressure, but Columbia maintained their composure throughout. With five minutes remaining in the game, the Cougars were still in the driver's seat leading 73-52. Columbia closed out the top five matchup with a 75-64 victory.

Jordan Alford led the Cougars as she had 23 points, going 9-10 from the field and a perfect 5-5 from deep. Along with Alford, Morgan Brandt (11) and Ashlee Marlatt (10) were each in double figures. Marlatt also pulled down eight rebounds, while Brandt grabbed seven and also dished out five assists. Columbia finished shooting 51 percent from the field and 47 percent from three.

The women's basketball team will be back at Oman Arena tomorrow, Saturday, November 24^th when they take on the 12^th ranked MidAmerica Nazarene University (Kan.) Pioneers in the final day of the Jackson Rotary Invitational. Tip-off is set for 12 p.m. In MidAmerica's Friday contest, they upset number two ranked Shawnee State (Ohio) by a score of 78-69.