Columbia, Mo. – Tonight the first ranked Columbia College women's basketball team welcomed the Central Baptist College Mustangs to Southwell Complex for an AMC matchup. Columbia dropped 52-50 in the game. The Cougars move to 25-3 on the season and 19-3 in conference play.
It was a sluggish start from the Cougars tonight as they trailed 9-0 about midway through the first and called a timeout to regroup. Mai Nienhueser was able to convert on a three-point play to break Columbia's silence. The Cougars were still struggling as they were down 13-5, but late in the quarter they were able to make a bit of a run to trail 16-11 after one.
With the second quarter underway, Columbia was still searching for their rhythm, trailing 19-13 three minutes in. The Cougars continued to struggle against the Mustangs defense as the quarter progressed. With around three minutes to go before the break, the Mustangs remained on top. At halftime Columbia was down 27-20.
In the third, the Cougars used a 5-2 run to cut the score to four points, 29-25. Raegan Wieser was able to undo the lid from beyond the arc as she nailed Columbia's first three of the game. Ashlee Marlatt followed suit hitting the next three, cutting the score to two, 32-30 and a Mustang timeout was called. Following the timeout, Wieser grabbed a steal and took it the length of the court to tie the game at 32. Another trey from Wieser, gave Columbia their first lead of the night 35-34 with about two minutes left in the third. Heading into the final quarter the Cougars trailed 38-35.
A 5-0 run from Columbia, gave them a 40-38 lead in the fourth. The Mustangs wanted another timeout with near seven minutes to play, while the Cougars held a three point advantage. With under five minutes to go, the game was back and forth, Mustangs up by one. Marlatt grabbed a big steal and a bucket to keep Columbia within one. Wieser made a strong move finishing and getting sent to the line where she hit her free throw to tie the game at 50 with a minute and a half to go. With 23.9 seconds on the clock, it was the Mustangs ball as they called for a timeout, still tied at 50. The Mustangs were able to finish at the rim taking a two point lead 52-50 and the Cougars called timeout with 3.2 seconds. Columbia was unable to pull it off in the final seconds as they dropped 52-50.
Raegan Wieser led with 19 points, while Ashlee Marlatt added 10 points and four assists. Morgan Brandt grabbed eight rebounds on the night and Jordan Alford snagged seven of her own.
The women's basketball team returns to their home court on Saturday, February 16th for Senior Day, when they take on the Lyon College Scots in an AMC contest. The game will tip-off at 1:00 p.m.
