Box Score Columbia, Mo. – The second ranked Columbia College women's basketball team returned to Southwell Complex for the first time in the New Year as they faced the Park University Pirates in an AMC contest. Columbia captured another win 83-65. The Cougars improve to 13-2 on the season and 8-2 in conference play.
Columbia's defense was locked in from the start forcing multiple turnovers in the first few minutes of the game. After a 7-0 Cougar run, the Pirates called a timeout after about four minutes of play in the first quarter. Following the timeout, the Columbia run continued to 12-0, before the Pirates were able to get on the board with a free throw. At the end of the first, Cougars were up 16-7, after Sarah Walters was able to bank in a runner at the buzzer.
Park went on 5-2 run to cut the lead to 18-12 a minute and a half into the second quarter, as the Cougars called their first timeout. Park was settling in as they continued to creep in on the Cougar lead. With six minutes before the break the score was 22-17 Cougars. As the quarter progressed, the Pirates stayed on the Cougars back. A big three from Ashlee Marlatt would make it 33-25, while Columbia called timeout with 2:35 before the half. The Cougars kicked it up a notched after the timeout to hold a 42-27 lead at halftime.
Columbia was controlling the game as the third was underway. Midway through the Cougars had a 22 point lead, 52-30. While Columbia was running away with it, Park wanted another timeout, with just under three remaining in the third. After a dominating third quarter, the Cougars were on top 64-37. In the final quarter, the Pirates were not giving up as they continued to fight. With under five minutes to play, Columbia led 69-56. Park would make it a ten point game with three minutes left. However, Park could not overcome the Cougars as Columbia secured the win 83-65.
Morgan Brandt had a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds, along with five steals. In addition, three other Cougars were in double figures including, Raegan Wieser who recorded 15 points, Ukari McKinney who had 12 points as well as six rebounds, and Ashlee Marlatt chipped in 10 points. With her 10 points tonight, Marlatt moved into 9th place all-time on the scoring list as she currently has 1,191. Jordan Alford dished out five assists to round out the night.
The women's basketball team is back in Southwell Complex Thursday, January 10th as they take on the Missouri Baptist University Spartans in an AMC matchup. The game will tip-off at 5:30 p.m.
