COLUMBIA, Mo. - For the first time in program history, the No. 6-seed Columbia College bowling team finished runner-up in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) Tournament. The Cougars played host, with upsets over No. 2-seed William Penn University (Iowa) (2-0) and No. 3-seed Missouri Baptist (2-0).

Columbia bowled many of their best team game sets of the season, with a 910 against Peru State, a 892 in the semifinals against Missouri Baptist, and a 929 in the championship against Culver-Stockton College (Mo.).

Four individuals also posted their best game highs of the season. Samantha Malley shot a 249 in the finals against Culver-Stockton. Allyson Johnson bowled a 221, while Kiana Hodges shot 209 in the Elimination Round 2 vs. Peru State. Additionally, Emma Shaner shot a 192 against Missouri Baptist in the semifinals.

Columbia found success in Baker games, executing spares and first shot execution, which ultimately, allowed them to advance to the championship round against Culver-Stockton. Over the 30 Baker games, the team averaged a 171 across the board.

After being defeated in round one of action early on, Columbia took revenge over Missouri Baptist in the semifinal matchup. The Cougars dominated the team game, winning by nearly 100 pins. In the Baker games, Columbia shot a 227 to help secure the second point and a trip to the title match with a 2-0 advantage over Missouri Baptist.

In the championship, Columbia showed initiative, taking the first point and shooting their best of the weekend with a 929. In the Baker games, the Cougars took an early lead, but the Wildcats followed with two 200 plus games, taking a 21 pin lead into the final stretch and ultimately winning, forcing a best of five series. Culver-Stockton took games one and two, while Columbia picked up game three. It came down to the final few frames, but the Wildcats would take the match, securing the title.

The breakdown of the matches are as follows:
Round 1 vs. #3 Missouri Baptist: L, 2-0
Elimination Round 1 vs. #7 Grandview University (Iowa): W, 2-0
Elimination Round 2 vs. #8 Peru State College (Neb.): W, 2-1
Elimination Round 3 vs. #2 William Penn: W, 2-0
Championship Semifinals vs. #3 Missouri Baptist: W, 2-0
Championship Round vs. Culver-Stockton: L, 2-1

Columbia will return to action for the USBC ISC/ITC Sectional Tournament in Fort Worth, Texas on March 7-9.