Columbia, Mo. – The 15^th ranked Cougars hosted the No. 13 ranked Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) University Lions in an NAIA Top 15 matchup. Columbia had a much better showing the second time they faced the Lions, but still fell short, dropping the game 74-69. Columbia is now 19-5 on the season and 15-3 in conference play.
 
Columbia seemed unstoppable at the start of the first quarter, taking the 14-7. But the Lions were quick to shut the Cougars down to finish the quarter in the lead. The Cougars had difficulty getting anything in the basket in the second quarter, posting their lowest second quarter total of the season with just four points while the Lions racked up 13 points.
 
Columbia kept pushing in the third quarter, matching Freed-Hardeman point-for-point, but the Lions still maintained their 14-point advantage. With the game on the line, senior Jordan Alford knocked down back-to-back three's to force Freed-Hardeman into a timeout and get the team rallied back up. As tensions rose, the Cougars were forced to foul and the Lions' offense proved to be too much for Columbia.
 
Key Moment
Freed-Hardeman was sent to the line 12 times in the last two minutes of the game, connecting on seven.
 
By the Numbers
15-17 – Columbia shot 88% from the free throw
20-32 – The Lions scored 12 more points in the paint than the Cougars
5-13 – Freed-Hardeman added eight more second chance points than Columbia did
14-26 – The Lions tacked on 12 more points off turnovers than the Cougars did
 
Columbia College Leaders
Scoring Leader – Raegan Wieser (25)
Rebounding Leader – Raegan Wieser (13)
Assist Leaders –  Jordan Alford, Raegan Wieser (2)
 
Freed-Hardeman Leaders
Scoring Leader – Haylee Croom (21)
Rebounding Leader – Haylee Croom (14)
Assist Leaders – Alyssa LeMay (5)
 
Up Next
The Cougars will be back in action on Thursday, February 13 when they host the Missouri Baptist (Mo.) University Spartans in another AMC matchup. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m.