Columbia, Mo. – Tonight the 6th ranked Columbia College women's basketball team was back on the court when they hosted the second ranked Freed-Hardeman University Lions in the AMC Championship game. The Cougars would outlast the Lions by a final score of 63-52 to win their 22nd straight game as well as AMC Tournament Champions for the fifth time in program history. Columbia improves to 28-5 on the season.
After the game the 2017-2018 AMC All-Conference Awards were announced. In his first year as head coach of the Cougars, Coach Taylor Possail received Coach of the Year accolades. Junior Morgan Brandt and sophomore Jordan Alford were named First Team All-Conference members, while junior Ashlee Marlatt was named Second Team All-Conference and sophomore Raegan Wieser was recognized as a Third Team All-Conference member. Brandt and Marlatt were also named to the AMC All-Defensive team as well. Rounding out the conference awards for the Cougars was Geena Stephens as she was named to the AMC All-Freshman Team.
The energy in the gym was booming as the game tipped off. Midway through the first quarter, the Lions led 7-4. Each team came into the game well prepared as defense on both ends was locked in. The Cougars made a late push cutting the lead to one, followed by Raegan Wieser taking a big charge on the next defensive possession. Columbia was able to hit some free throws to take a 12-11 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The intensity continued as the second quarter began. As the quarter progressed the game was kept very tight. The Lions would take a one point lead, however Alexis Uffmann quickly found Wieser who would answer with a three of her own to give the Cougars a one point lead, 19-18, with four minutes remaining before the break. Heading into halftime Columbia held a 21-20 lead over the Lions. Wieser led all scorers with 11 first half points.
The Lions went on a quick 4-0 run to start the third, but the Cougars bounced back taking a 25-24 lead three and a half minutes into the quarter. Each team exchanged baskets over the next few minutes, neither team able to get any separation from the other. With three minutes left in the quarter, Sarah Walters would hit from beyond the arc to tie the game at 30. The following possession off of a great kick out from Mai Nienhueser, Walters would nail another one from deep to give the Cougars a 33-30 lead. Heading into the final quarter Columbia led 35-34.
In the fourth, a great drive and kick by Uffmann, allowed Wieser to hit a wide open three to tie the game at 40 with six and a half to go. As Jordan Alford went on a quick 5-0 run, the Cougars were within one, 45-46, with three minutes to play. Wieser, shaking her defender with a step back three, would put the Cougars up 48-46. With one minute on the clock Columbia led 51-46 after the completion of a three point play by Wieser that had the entire gym on their feet. With 44 seconds left the Cougars would call a timeout as they were up 53-46. In the final 40 seconds Columbia was cash from the free throw line as they would defeat the Lions 63-52 to claim AMC Tournament Champions.
For the Cougars, Morgan Brandt had a double-double with 12 points and 14 rebounds. Raegan Wieser dropped in 20 points, while Sarah Walters chipped in 12 points going 2-2 from three and 4-4 from the charity stripe. Alexis Uffmann dished out a game high four assists on the night. With 14 rebounds, Brandt now sits fifth all time on the Columbia College career rebounding list with 708 rebounds.
Columbia College will now await the National Tournament selection show which will take place tomorrow, March 7th at 5 p.m.
