Columbia, Mo. – The No. 21-ranked Columbia College women's basketball team improved to 2-0 on the season with a hard-fought 75-68 win over William Penn (Iowa) on Wednesday evening in the Arena of Southwell Complex.
Both teams were evenly matched in the first half, as the largest lead of the first half was eight points (27-19) with 55 seconds left in the opening quarter. Columbia's
Geena Stephens cut the deficit down to six (27-21) with a bucket heading to the second quarter.
The Cougars started the second period off on a 10-0 run, capped off by a
Sofia Popp basketball. The Cougars had the lead, 31-27. Columbia extended its lead to seven (38-31), as
Abby Backes drained a three-point shot. The Cougars led 38-37 at the half.
In the second half, the Cougars extended their lead to nine, after
Clare Shetley grabbed an offensive rebound and a put back, giving Columbia the 55-46 advantage.
Columbia extended the lead to a game-high 10 points (61-51) with 8:15 left in the game. William Penn went on an 8-0 run, getting within two points (63-61) with 3:57 remaining. The Statesmen got to within one point (68-67) with 1:06 left. The Cougars answered with the next seven points, including four-for-four from the foul line.
Key Moment
Columbia used a 7-0 run late in the fourth quarter to extend its lead from one-point to eight-points.
By the Numbers
3 – Three Cougars scored in double-figures
23 – Columbia forced 23 turnovers
27-15 – Columbia went to the foul line 12 more times than William Penn, connecting on 22 of those attempts.
Columbia Leaders
Scoring Leader –
Geena Stephens (22)
Rebounding Leader –
Mallory Shetley (13)
Assist Leader –
Mallory Shetley/
Bria Jones (2)
Double-Double -
Mallory Shetley (16 points, 13 rebounds)
William Penn Leaders
Scoring Leader – Brittany West (16)
Rebounding Leader – Jakayla Kirk (9)
Assist Leader – Breanna Wendland/Caroline Hoppock (6)
Up Next
The Cougars are in action on Saturday, when they travel to Des Moines, Iowa to face Grand View (Iowa). Tip-off is scheduled for 4:00 PM.
