Box Score Columbia, Mo.- The 15th ranked Cougars were on the road this afternoon in Henderson, Tennessee where they faced up against the 14th ranked Freed-Hardeman University Lions in the AMC Tournament Semifinals. The third seed Cougars dropped in overtime to the second seed Lions by a score of 74-71. The Cougars are now 25-7 on the season.
Emotions were running high in Tennessee as the teams took the court with a trip to the championship on the line. A bit of a slow start for the Cougars as they were trying to find their groove against the Lions. The Lions took a 6-0 lead, but Columbia began to create some offense as they trailed 15-11 after one. In the second the Cougars hit some big shots to cut the deficit 25-23 with about 4:30 before the break. The Lions were feeling it on their home floor as they went on a big run to end the half leading 40-26.
In the third the Cougars were able to stay pretty even offensively with the Lions as they outscored them 16-15, but they were down 55-42 heading into the final quarter. In the fourth the Cougars came out with a newfound edge about them as they went on a 13-4 run in the first four minutes to cut the deficit to four, 59-55. Columbia remained in striking distance as they were down just three, 64-61, with two minutes to go. Another big three from the Cougars tied the game at 64, just over 1:30 to play, Cougars called time. The score remained 64-64. The Lions grabbed a defensive rebound and called timeout with 11.1 on the clock. The Cougars came up with a huge rebound, immediately calling time with 5.7 in regulation, they would have to go the full length of the court. Unable to convert, the semifinals would head to overtime, 64-64.
Overtime: Columbia held a four point lead with 3:42 to play. Daggers back and forth, Cougars up 71-69 with a minute left. Alyssa LeMay, who had been playing out of her mind all game, hit a tough three to give the Lions the lead 72-71 with 8.2. A quick Cougar timeout advanced the ball to half court. In the final seconds Columbia was unable to pull it out as they dropped 74-71.
Key Moment
Columbia came out in the fourth cutting the lead to 10 right away causing a Lion timeout. Out of the timeout the Cougars hit back to back threes forcing another Lion time as their lead was just four, 59-55, with about six minutes to play.
By The Numbers
Cougars shot 41% from the field and 46% from three
34-33 Cougars outrebounded the Lions
15-14 Columbia points off turnovers vs. Lions
15-18 Cougars shot 83% from the line
Columbia College Leaders
Scoring Leader – Jordan Alford (21)
Rebounding Leader – Jordan Alford (8)
Assist Leaders – Jordan Alford (5)
FHU Leaders
Scoring Leader – Alyssa LeMay (32)
Rebounding Leader – Haylee Croom (8)
Assist Leaders – Haylee Croom (6)
Up Next
The Cougars will await the Selection Show to see what lies ahead for them this postseason. The Selection Show will be Wednesday, March 11th at 6 p.m. To view the show, watch Live on Facebook.
