Columbia, Mo. – Tonight the third ranked Columbia College women's basketball team hosted the Central Baptist College Mustangs in the AMC Tournament Quarterfinals. Columbia is advancing to the AMC Semifinals with an 86-66 win over the Mustangs. The Cougars improves to 28-3 on the season.
Prior to the game the 2018-19 AMC Academic All-Conference members were announced. For their efforts in the classroom the following Cougars were recognized, Jordan Alford, Skyler Beeson, Morgan Brandt, Abigayle Feeney, Grey Hayes, Bria Jones, Ashlee Marlatt, Ukari McKinney, Hannah Sutton, Alexis Uffmann, Sarah Walters, and Raegan Wieser. Mai Nienhueser was recognized as Columbia's Champion of Character.
The game stayed close in the opening minutes with Columbia up 6-5 about three minutes in. The Cougars were playing at a quick pace, pushing the ball up the floor. The Mustangs called the first timeout trailing 11-8. As the first progressed the Mustangs cut it to one, 18-17 with under three to play and Columbia called a quick time. After a minute and a half of scoreless play, the Cougars hit a free throw to take a two point lead with just over a minute left in the quarter. After the first, the score was 21-17, Columbia.
The Cougars hustle on the boards was earning them some extra possessions as the second began. Columbia went on a 10-4 run over the first three and a half minutes taking a 10 point lead and causing a Mustang timeout. The timeout did not slow the Cougars down as the run continued. The Mustangs had been scoreless since the 8:32 mark, and Columbia continued to pick apart the holes in the Mustangs defense taking a 20 point lead 41-21 with under four minutes before the break. Columbia did a great job of getting into the paint in the second and dominated on the blocks. At halftime, the Cougars were up 51-28, 30 of those points coming from the paint. They were shooting 57 percent from the field and 78 from the line. In the half they outrebounded the Mustangs 24-6.
The Cougar momentum carried into the third as they started with a 7-0 run. Columbia was up by 30 and the Mustangs wanted another timeout just under seven minutes in the quarter. The Cougars hands were everywhere on defense as they were all over the Mustangs making things very difficult. Columbia continued to play with a purpose throughout. Heading into the final quarter the Cougars held a commanding 71-42 lead.
In the fourth the Mustangs battled, but would not be able to overcome the deficit. Columbia finished out the game 86-66 to move onto the AMC Semifinals. The Cougars shot 57 percent from the field, 85 from the line, and brought down 37 rebounds, had 19 assists, and five steals on 10 Mustang turnovers.
Mai Nienhueser dropped 20 points, going 10-13 from the floor, while Morgan Brandt had 17 points, six rebounds, and two assists, and Raegan Wieser added 13 points, five boards, and two assists. In addition, Geena Stephens had eight points, three boards, and two assists, Sarah Walters also had eight points, going 2-4 from three, Ashlee Marlatt was 2-3 from three for six points and Jordan Alford also had six points and gave out five assists. Alexis Uffmann and Ukari McKinney each had four points, while McKinney had five rebounds, and Uffmann grabbed six and dished out five assists. Brandt continues to climb the ranks in all-time scoring as she currently has 1,367 in 6th place, with Marlatt right behind her with 1,365 points. Wieser also moved into 12th place all-time scoring with 1,122 points. Alford has taken over 14th place all-time in steals with 141, as well as taking 11th place in all-time assists with 220, right behind Uffmann who is currently 10th with 228.
The women's basketball team moves onto the AMC Semifinals where they will host the Lyon College Scots on Friday, March 1st. The game will tip-off at 7 p.m. in Southwell Complex.
