Defensive Efforts Lead Cougars Past Eutectics

Columbia, Mo. – The Columbia College women’s basketball team played host to the Eutectics tonight in American Midwest Conference action. After dropping the road portion of the season series, the Cougars were on the hunt for revenge tonight. A huge defensive effort from the Cougars held the reigning NAIA Player of the week to a season-low 15 points after she set her career-high against the Cougars in their last outing. With the 58-43 win, the Cougars improve to 21-4 overall and 16-2 in the AMC, with the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy dropping to 20-6 overall and 16-3 in AMC play.

The Cougars took the early lead at the end of the first and led 20-17. Both teams traded baskets in the second quarter as the Cougars and Eutectics tallied 11 points each, making the CC halftime lead 31-28. 

A defensive hold in the third quarter saw Columbia outscore UHSP 19-10 to build their lead heading into the fourth quarter. The fourth and final quarter had both teams energetic on defense still as CC scored eight points to just five from the Eutectics. 

Mallory Shetley had a game-high 17 points with five rebounds. DeLaney Horstman followed with 13 points and six rebounds. Mackenzie Hess went 3-4 from beyond the arc for nine points, while also pulling down a game-high eight rebounds. 

The Cougars control their own fate as they close out the AMC regular season this Saturday with a road contest at Hannibal-LaGrange University.