Women’s Basketball Advances to AMC Semifinals

Columbia, Mo. – The Columbia College women’s basketball team advanced to the American Midwest Conference (AMC) semifinal round with a 96-83 overtime win over Central Baptist (Ark.) in the quarterfinals. 
 
The Cougars improve to 24-6 overall, while the season ends for the Mustangs at 15-16.  
 
The Mustangs jumped out to a quick 16-9 lead in the first quarter before Columbia came roaring back and got within one point, 16-15. CBC was holding on to a four-point lead, but an Abby Backes triple as time was expiring got the Cougars within a point, 21-20, at the end of period number one. 
 
Columbia came out in period two on a 5-0 run, started by a 3-pointer from Clare Shetley, followed by a pair of free throws from Backes. The Cougars would extend their lead to nine at the break, 44-35, as DeLaney Horstman made a layup with two seconds left in the half. 
 
The Cougar lead reached as many as 14 in the third quarter, but the Mustangs would not go away. CBC closed the quarter on an 8-2 run and trailed the Cougars by eight (63-55) with ten minutes left to play in regulation. 
 
Columbia held a 74-67 advantage after Peyton Crowe knocked down a pair of free throws with 4:10 left. Central Baptist scored nine of the final 11 points to tie the game at 76-76. The Cougars had a shot at the buzzer to win, but the contested layup attempt rimmed out. 
 
In overtime, the Cougars were finally able to pull away from the Mustangs, outscoring them 20-7 in the five minutes. The Cougars shot 3-3 from the field, 1-1 from the three-point line, and 13-15 from the foul line in OT. Central Baptist was 2-10 from the field, 0-2 from deep, and 3-3 from the charity stripe. 
 
For the game, Columbia shot 45.8-percent (27-59) from the floor, 48.1-percent (13-27) from behind the 3-point arc, and 80.6-percent (29-36) from the foul line. 
 
Defensively, the Cougars held the Mustangs to 2-13 from deep. 
 
Key Moment:
After an old-fashioned three-point play by CBC cut the Cougar lead to four in overtime, Mackenzie Dubbert drained a triple as the shot clock was winding down to extend the lead back to seven. The Cougars would outscore the Mustangs 8-2 the rest of the OT period. 
 
By the Numbers:
5 – Five Cougars scored in double-digits
13-27 – Columbia shot 13-27 from behind the 3-point line. 
41-37 – Central Baptist won the rebounding battle. 
20 – The Cougars scored 20 points in overtime. 
 
Columbia Leaders:
Scoring Leader – Allison Stiers (22)
Rebounding Leader – Clare Shetley (8)
Assist Leader –Abby Backes (6)
Steals Leader – Allison Stiers / Mallory Shetley (2)
 
Central Baptist Leaders:
Scoring Leader – Alexis Augustus (34)
Rebounding Leader – Alexis Augustus (11)
Assist Leader – Macey Decker (2)
Steals Leader – Macey Decker (3)
 
Up Next:
The Cougars will host No. 3-seeded Missouri Baptist on Friday, Feb. 25 at 7:00 PM in the Arena of Southwell Complex.