Columbia, Mo. – Three players scored in double figures as the Columbia College women's basketball team opened the 2026-27 season with a 79-44 victory over Westminster Saturday at the Arena of Southwell Complex.
Columbia improved to 1-0 with the win, while Westminster fell to 0-1.
Ashtyn Klusmeyer led the Cougars with 22 points on 7-of-10 shooting, including four three-pointers, while Emma Daniels (14 points) and Alli Robertson (12 points) also scored in double figures. Daniels also pulled down eight rebounds, dished out five assists and recorded five steals.
The Cougars shot 41.7 percent (30-of-72) from the field, hit 11 three-pointers and held a 49-39 rebounding advantage. Columbia forced 22 Westminster turnovers, turning them into 22 points, and held the Blue Jays to 30.6 percent (19-of-62) shooting.
The Cougars jumped in front 10-0 in the first 5:33 as Westminster missed its first nine shots from the field. Robertson scored 10 of her points in the opening quarter, and Klusmeyer closed the period with a three-pointer to give Columbia a 17-5 lead after 10 minutes.
Madison Washington scored six points on two three-pointers in the second quarter, and Lauren Friedrich added another from deep as Columbia pushed the lead to 25-5 with 6:42 left before halftime. The Cougars outscored Westminster 24-12 in the quarter to take a 41-17 lead at the half. Klusmeyer had 14 points at the break, while Robertson added 10.
Columbia opened the third quarter with threes from Klusmeyer and Daniels to stretch the lead to 47-19 less than two minutes in. Daniels scored nine points in the quarter, and the Cougars outscored Westminster 18-8 to carry a 59-25 lead into the fourth.
Columbia's lead grew to a game-high 40 points (69-29) with 6:44 to play. Lorelai Hunziker and Bri Avey each connected from three-point range down the stretch, and Hunziker finished with five points in just three minutes of play.
Columbia also got four steals and three assists from Vivian Bax and three blocks from Friedrich.
The Cougars are back in action as they play Evangel University on Wednesday, Oct. 28 at 6:00 p.m. in the Arena of Southwell Complex.
