Columbia, Mo. – The 15^th ranked Cougars returned to action tonight at the Arena of Southwell Complex hosting the Missouri Baptist (Mo.) University Spartans in an AMC matchup. Columbia, coming off a tough loss Saturday bounced back nicely this evening, defeating a hot Spartans squad 69-64 to move to 20-5 on the season and 16-3 in conference play.
 
Columbia jumped out to a strong start stretching their lead to as many as 11-points in the first quarter, their largest lead of the contest.  The Spartans came storming back in the second stanza thanks to six Cougar turnovers and connecting on multiple baskets from behind the arc to cut the Columbia lead to three at the half.
 
Thanks to another strong effort in the third quarter, Missouri Baptist closed the gap trailing by just one entering the fourth.   The Spartans took their first and only lead of the contest early in the final quarter but the Cougars found their offensive rhythm to connect on some timely baskets combined with some critical stops down the stretch to secure the victory.
 
Key Moment
The Cougars went 7-10 from the line in the final minutes of the game.
 
By the Numbers
9-13 – Columbia shot 69% from the free throw line
23-47 – Missouri Baptist shot 49% of their field goals
1-5 – The Spartans had four more blocks than the Cougars
21-14 – Columbia scored seven more points than Missouri Baptist off of turnovers
 
Columbia College Leaders
Scoring Leader – Raegan Wieser (17)
Rebounding Leader – Raegan Wieser (8)
Assist Leaders –  Jordan Alford (4)
 
Missouri Baptist Leaders
Scoring Leader – Alexis Allstun (19)
Rebounding Leader – Alexis Allstun (13)
Assist Leaders – Tionne Taylor (2)
 
Up Next
Columbia will be on the road for their next AMC contest on Saturday, February 15 when they travel to Belleville, Illinois to take on the Lindenwood-Belleville University Lynx. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m.