Cougars Defeat Comets, Named Co-Conference Regular Season Champions

NEVADA, Mo. – The (RV) Columbia College women’s basketball team defeated Cottey College (Mo.) this evening in their final regular season contest, 63-52. With the win, the Cougars were named co-conference regular season champions, while also solidifying the top spot in the AMC Women’s Basketball Tournament Presented by Tandem HR.

Columbia improves to 24-4 on the season and 16-2 in conference action.

The Cougar defense only allowed one field goal the entire first quarter, while the Comets also grabbed a pair of free throws. A four-minute scoring drought limited offensive productivity of both squads. Columbia ultimately held an 11-4 lead heading into the second quarter.

Opening the second quarter, the Cougars went on a 7-0 run, taking an 18-4 advantage. The Comets took a 6-0 run of their own, coming within eight points. Mackenzie Hess added six points for Columbia in the second quarter, giving the Cougars a 29-15 edge into the half.

Columbia produced a quick 5-0 run out of locker rooms, giving them their largest lead of the contest with 8:23 remaining in the third. The Cougars and Comets traded off buckets throughout the third quarter, while Cottey knocked down back-to-back three’s to end the quarter, 44-32.

The final period led the Cougars to their best field goal percentage of the contest at 50 percent. Columbia also made it to the free throw line 12 times in the quarter, making nine. The Comets got within seven, but the Cougars would knock down needed free throws the rest of the way, taking a 63-52 victory.

Mallory Shetley led all scorers with 13 points, while three Cougars pulled down seven rebounds.

No.1-seeded Columbia will face No.8-seeded Central Baptist (Ark.) at the AMC Women’s Basketball Tournament Presented by Tandem HR on March 1 at 5:15 p.m.