Box Score Billings, Mont. – This morning the second seed Columbia College women's basketball team was back on the court when they tipped off against the seventh seed Benedictine College (Kan.) Ravens in the First Round of the 38th Annual NAIA Division I Women's Basketball National Championship presented by Wells Fargo. The Cougars fell to the Ravens by a final score of 68-59. Columbia finishes an excellent season with a record of 28-6.
As the Cougars were looking to find their rhythm in this early morning start, Columbia would trail 10-7 about midway through the first quarter. Sarah Walters knocked in back to back threes to cut the lead to two each time, however the Ravens would quickly answer back each time as they led 18-13 with under two to play in the first. A deep three at the buzzer from Grey Hayes would make the score 22-18 Ravens after one.
The Ravens would go on a 7-2 run to start the second leading 29-20. As the quarter progressed each team was looking to play at a quick pace. With two minutes left before the break Columbia trailed 35-22. A strong take to the basket from Walters would cut the Cougars deficit to nine points. The Ravens responded quickly with a bucket, but again Walters was ready to fire hitting her third trey of the day to keep the deficit in single digits heading into the break. The Ravens led 37-29 at the half. Walters led the Cougars with 11 first half points going 3-3 from beyond the arc.
Columbia came out of the break with a new energy as they went on a quick 5-0 run to trail by three after two minutes of play in the third quarter. The Cougars defense kicked it up a notch as they were limiting some of the looks the Ravens were getting in the first half. With about two minutes on the clock, Hayes came up with a big steal and bucket to cut the lead 45-46. Under a minute to play, great penetration and kick from Walters would allow Raegan Wieser to knock down a three from the corner to give the Cougars a 48-46 lead. Heading into the final quarter the game was tied at 48.
The first two minutes of the fourth quarter were scoreless. The Ravens would then go on a 4-0 run to take a 54-48 lead with 6:15 remaining. Columbia would continue to battle as they cut it right back to a two point game, 54-52. Alford would tie the game up at 54 as she hit two free throws with under five minutes to play. Each team exchanged baskets as the Ravens led 57-54 with 3:35 to go. The Ravens would go on a run taking a 61-56 lead with 2:28 left. Hayes grabbed a huge offensive rebound and quickly found Morgan Brandt who nailed a three to cut the lead to three with 48 seconds left in the game. Columbia was forced to foul in the final minute of the game and were unable to overcome the Ravens as they fell 68-59 in the first round.
The Cougars offense was led by Jordan Alford who recorded 19 points and Sarah Walters who tallied 14 points as she shot 3-4 from three. Morgan Brandt, Mai Nienhueser, and Raegan Wieser all pulled down five rebounds. In addition, Brandt, Walters, and Alford each dished out three assists. Brandt's five rebounds moves her into fourth place all time on the Columbia College rebounding list with 713 rebounds to end her junior season. Columbia has a lot to look forward too next season as they return their full team.
