Oskaloosa, Iowa – The Columbia College women's basketball team limited host William Penn University to just 33.9 percent shooting in a 73-54 road win Monday in Oskaloosa, Iowa.
 
With the victory, Columbia improved to 5-0 for the first time since the 2019–20 season, while William Penn dropped to 2-6.
 
Four Cougars scored in double figures: Mya Miller (17), Ashtyn Klusmeyer (14), Lauren Friedrich (11) and Lexi Miller (11). Columbia shot a season-best 47.9 percent (23-48) from the field, dominated the boards 41-29, and posted a 21-9 advantage in points off turnovers. The Cougars also converted 19-of-26 attempts at the free-throw line.
 
Columbia started slow, missing five of its first six shots and committing five turnovers to fall behind 7-5 in the opening five minutes. But Friedrich caught fire, knocking down three straight three-pointers as the Cougars surged ahead 14-7 with 3:05 left.
 
The Cougars took a 17-8 lead after 10 minutes of play, limiting William Penn to 3-of-14 shooting (21.4 percent) from the field.
 
A three-point play by Lexi Rubel pushed the lead to 29-16, and the Cougars took a 32-21 advantage into half. Friedrich led the way with nine points, while Klusmeyer added eight. Columbia held William Penn to just 24.2 percent shooting (8-of-33) in the opening half, including 2-of-14 from beyond the arc.
 
The Cougars opened the third quarter with seven straight points, including five from Mya Miller, to push the lead to 39–21. Columbia then closed the period on a 16–5 surge, taking a commanding 59–34 advantage into the fourth. Mya Miller had 11 points in the quarter.
 
The lead to grew to 25 points (71-46) with 4:30 left on a bucket by Emma Daniels.
 
Kayla Peoples (17 points), Dekota Smith (11) and Kayla Jones (10) scored in double figures for William Penn, who were called for 20 fouls in the loss.
 
The Cougars have seven days off before returning to action on Tuesday, November 25 at University of Saint Mary. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. in Leavenworth, Kan.
 
NOTES: Columbia leads the all-time series 7-0 … Tori Rubel added two points and a game-high 11 rebounds … The Cougars have recorded 20 or more assists in four of five games.