WALNUT RIDGE, Ark. - For the fifth consecutive season, the (RV) Columbia College women's basketball team has advanced to the American Midwest Conference (AMC) Tournament Championship game.

No. 2 seed Columbia defeated No. 3 seed Mission University (Mo.) in the AMC Semifinals this afternoon, 81-71, in their third meeting of the season. Each match up between the Cougars and Patriots have been decided by 10 points or less.

Columbia improves to 27-3 on the season.

In the contest, Columbia shot an impressive 54 percent from the field, holding Mission to 38 percent.

The Cougars saw a nice spread of contributions in the opening quarter of play as six players found their way to the basket. Mission produced a 7-2 run midway through the first quarter, grabbing their largest lead of the game at 11-6. However, Columbia saw a burst of their own, rallying a 14-3 run into the second quarter. The Cougars held a 20-14 advantage.

Shooting their their best of the game at 70 percent from the field (7-for-10), Columbia continued to hold the lead throughout the second quarter. Mallory Shetley added seven points, while Lauren Friedrich contributed six of her own. In the last 1:15, Mission executed an 8-0 run. Columbia carried a 37-35 lead into the locker room.

The Cougars came out of the gates with a 10-2 run, and kept the momentum throughout the third quarter. Defensively, the Cougars held the Patriots to 11 points in the third quarter, shooting just 25 percent from the field (4-for-16). Columbia found themselves with a 58-46 edge into the final quarter of action.

Abby Backes led the way shooting 80 percent from the field (4-for-5) in the last quarter, scoring 11 of the Cougars 23 points. Each team provided their largest scoring quarter of the game, as the Patriots added 25 points.

Columbia gained a 21 point advantage, their largest of the game with 5:20 remaining in the contest. Mission made one final spark with an 11-3 run, but it was not enough as Columbia came away with an 81-71 victory.

The Cougars put up more than half their points in the paint with 46, also finding success with 28 second chance points.

Abby Backes led all scorers with 20 points, while also collecting six rebounds and dishing out four assists.

Ashtyn Klusmeyer posted her second double-double of the season, scoring 11 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.

Columbia takes No. 1-seed Williams Baptist University (Ark.) on Monday, March 3 at 5:30 p.m. in the 2025 AMC Tournament Championship game. The Cougars look to win their fourth straight AMC Tournament title.