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Indianapolis, Ind. – The Columbia College women’s basketball team fell in their first game of the 2022 NAIA Women’s Basketball National Championship Opening Round to Rio Grande (Ohio) by a score of 89-84.
The Cougar’s season ends with a 26-7 overall record, while Rio Grande improves to
32-2.
Columbia raced out to a quick 5-0 lead, but that was quickly erased by a 7-0 run from the Red Storm. The Cougar lead reached as many as five in the opening frame, and Columbia led 19-16 after the first 10 minutes.
The second quarter was close throughout. The Red Storm took their largest lead of the first half at 44-36, but back-to-back buckets from Mallory Shetley trimmed the Cougar deficit to 44-40 at the intermission.
Rio Grande led by as many as six in the third quarter, including at the 5:44 mark (54-48). The Cougars would stay within striking distance as back-to-back layups from Kamryn Mennemeyer, and Mackenzie Dubbert got Columbia back within a basket (54-52). Rio Grande took a 70-65 lead into the final period.
After Rio Grande’s lead reached seven (74-67) with 8:33 remaining, the Cougars used a 9-2 to tie the game at 76-76. A triple with 3:08 remaining from Dubbert gave Columbia their first lead of the second half (81-80). The teams traded blow for blow until the Red Storm scored the game’s final five points.
Key Moment:
With the score tied at 84-84, Ella Skeens drained a deep 3-point field goal with 58-seconds left to give Rio Grande the lead for the rest of the game.
By the Numbers:
20 – Columbia had 20 points off turnovers
19-5 – The Cougars bench compared to the Red Storm bench.
52-44 – Rio Grande held an advantage in points in the paint.
Columbia Leaders:
Scoring Leader – Mallory Shetley (23)
Rebounding Leader – Clare Shetley (10)
Assist Leader – Abby Backes (5)
Steals Leader – Peyton Crowe (2)
Rio Grande Leaders:
Scoring Leader – Ella Skeens (29)
Rebounding Leader – Ella Skeens (10)
Assist Leader – Chyna Chambers (7)
Steals Leader – Chyna Chambers (3)
