Columbia, Mo. - The Columbia College women's basketball team opened the 2022-23 season with a 104-14 win over Central Christian College of the Bible Thursday at The Arena of Southwell Complex in Columbia, Mo.
Peyton Crowe led five scores in double figures with 17 points, while
Abby Backes (11),
Lexi Miller (11),
Mackenzie Hess (10) and
Mallory Shetley (10) also scored in double figures.
The Cougars shot 51.3 percent (41-80) from the field and hit 14 three-pointers. Columbia had a 43-0 points off turnovers and a 56-26 rebound advantage.
Columbia jumped in front 25-5 in the opening 10 minutes of play, limiting the Saints to 18.2 percent (2-11) shooting from the field with nine turnovers. Columbia had a 15-0 run in the first quarter. Crowe had eight points while Hess added six points.
The Cougars outscored Central Christian 29-2 in the second quarter to gain a 55-7 halftime advantage. Columbia shot 53.7 percent (22-41) from the field and had a 30-0 advantage in points off turnovers. Crowe led all scorers with 11 first-half points.
The lead grew to 86-9 after three quarters as the Cougars outscored the Saints 31-2 in the third quarter. Backes had six points in the quarter.
Columbia limited Central Christian to 10.9 percent (5-46) shooting from the field for the game and forced 29 turnovers.
Columbia, who received 21 votes in the NAIA Preseason Top-25 Poll, has won all four meetings all-time against Central Christian College of the Bible.
The Cougars hosts Kansas Wesleyan University on Saturday, Oct. 29 at 1 p.m.
