Park City, Kan. – The Columbia College women's basketball team saw its season come to an end in the championship game of the NAIA Women's Basketball Opening Round. The Cougars fell to the top-seeded Sterling College Warriors, 70-54.

The Cougars end the season with a 15-6 record and 10-2 in the American Midwest Conference (AMC), while Sterling improves to 30-0.
 
Columbia came out strong, as a bucket by Allison Stiers increased the Cougar lead to 11-4 with 4:55 left in the first period. The Warriors tied the game at 14-14 with 54-seconds left, but Columbia held a 16-15 advantage at the first break.

In the second period, Columbia ran its lead up to double digits (30-17) with a 14-0 run. After back-to-back baskets by Sterling, Geena Stephens made a free throw with under 40-seconds remaining to give the Cougars the 31-21 lead at the intermission.

The Warriors regained the lead at the 2:40 mark in the third quarter at 40-39 and led by as many as eight in the third frame (49-41), with 24-seconds remaining. Sterling scored 28 points in the third quarter.

Sterling held on to the lead the rest of the game, including a game-high 19-points (70-51) with a minute left.   

By the Numbers
37-18 – Columbia's bench was dominant.
46-20 – The Warriors held an advantage in points in the paint.
12.5 – The Cougars defended the three-point line well, holding Sterling to 12.5-percent from distance.

Columbia College Leaders
Scoring Leader – Bria Jones (15)
Rebounding Leader – Mallory Shetley/Clare Shetley (8)
Assist Leader – Bria Jones (3)

Sterling Leaders
Scoring Leader – Taya Wilson (21)
Rebounding Leader – Taya Wilson (19)
Assist Leader – Kylah Comley (5)