Columbia, Mo. – This evening the 10th ranked Columbia College women's basketball team was back on the court when they hosted the number one ranked Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) University Lions in the AMC Game of the Week. The Cougars upset the Lions by a final score of 61-43. The Lion's 43 points was their lowest scoring total of the season. Columbia improves to 18-5 on the season and 16-1 in conference play.
The Cougars were able to cause a Freed turnover on the first possession of the night to get things started. Each team was playing very solid defense as the score was just 5-4 in the Lions favor midway through the quarter. The Cougars would tie the game at seven as Raegan Wieser knocked one down from beyond the arc. Wieser's three would send Columbia on an 8-2 run to close out the first half leading 15-9.
The Cougars would continue to hold the momentum as they led 19-13 about midway through the second. After a scoreless two minutes, Morgan Brandt would nail back to back threes to give the Cougars a 25-13 lead. Over the last three and half minutes of the half Columbia would go on a 10-6 run and end the half on a perfectly executed buzzer beater as Geena Stephens found Wieser who knocked down a three to send the Cougars into the locker room leading 35-21 at the half. Columbia shot 43 percent from the field and 54 percent from three. The Cougars caused eight Lion turnovers and were able to snag five steals in the half.
Coming out of halftime the Cougars defensive communication picked up right where they left off as Freed was struggling on the offensive end. With four minutes to go the Cougars led 44-27 as they continued to execute on offense. Jordan Alford sunk two free throws after getting fouled as she grabbed a steal with seconds left in the quarter. Alford's free throws would give the Cougars a 47-34 lead heading into the final quarter of play.
In the final quarter, the Cougars would hold the Lions scoreless as they held a 20 point lead with 6:19 to go in the game. Freed would break their silence after knocking down two free throws. The Lions would continue to battle, but Columbia's defense continued to be on lock down. The Cougars executed their game plan as they upset number one ranked Freed-Hardeman by a final score of 61-43.
Jordan Alford recorded a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds. In addition, there were three other Cougars in double digits including, Morgan Brandt who tallied 15 points, and Sarah Walters and Raegan Wieser each chipped in 10 apiece, while Ashlee Marlatt dished out six assists. Columbia shot 44 percent from the field, 47 percent from three, and caused 15 Lion turnovers.
Columbia College is back in action on Saturday, February 3rd when they host Williams Baptist (Ark.) College in an AMC matchup. The game is set to tip-off at 1:00 p.m. in Southwell Complex.
