Columbia, Mo. – The Columbia College women's basketball team had four players score in double figures as the Cougars won its 2025-26 season opener with a 79-65 victory over Graceland University Saturday at the Arena of Southwell Complex.
 
Columbia improved to 1-0 with the win, while Graceland fell to 0-2.
 
Ashtyn Klusmeyer recorded the third double-double of her career with a career-high 21 points and 11 rebounds, while Mya Miller (20 points), Macie Harman (10 points) and Lexi Miller (10 points) also scored in double figures.
 
The Cougars shot 42.6 percent (29-68) from the field in the win and hit nine three-pointers and dominated the rebounding advantage 48-35.  
 
"We got into a good rhythm in the first half and felt good about what we did today," said head coach Matt Moore.
 
The Cougars jumped in front 7-0 in the opening 3:51 as Graceland missed its first five shots from the field. The lead grew to double figures (23-9) following an 11-0 run highlighted by Klusmeyer's second three of the game.
 
Columbia led 23-11 after 10 minutes of play after shooting 50 percent (8-16) from the field with a 13-5 rebounding advantage.
 
Graceland got the lead down to 10 with 6:20 to play before half, but Klusmeyer scored eight-straight points to give Columbia the 40-25 lead at half. Klusmeyer had 14 points on four three-pointers, while Mya Miller added nine points. The Cougars were 9-of-11 from the free-throw and outrebounded Graceland 30-15.
 
Klusmeyer canned a three-pointer and Mya Miller scored a bucket to quickly push the advantage to 20 (47-27) just 1:11 into the third quarter. Columbia scored the last eight points of the third quarter to take a commanding 66-41 lead to the fourth.
 
Sariah Bradley (14), Nateonia Russell (14) and Oliviya Tinoco (11) scored in double figures for Graceland, who ended the game on a 15-2 run.
 
The Cougars have a quick turn around with a road game at RV Evangel University on Tuesday, November 4 at 5:30 p.m.
 
NOTES: The two teams met for the first time in school history ... The Cougars are 74-7 at home since 2020-21 season ... Tori Rubel added seven points and a team-high 11 rebounds.