Columbia College Cougars

February 2006 Headlines

February 28, 2006
Cougars down Eagles from Williams Baptist in AMC quarterfinals,
next up is McKendree at home on Thursday

Columbia, Mo. – The Cougar basketball team recorded a 90-46 victory tonight over the Eagles from Williams Baptist (Ark.) College in quarterfinal action of the American Midwest Conference (AMC) Postseason Tournament. With the win the No. 2 seeded Cougars push their overall record to 24-7 on the season. The No. 7 seeded Eagles end their season with an overall mark of 6-24.

Columbia dominated the game from the opening tip jumping out to 22-2 lead 7 minutes into the game converting on eight of their first nine shots. Columbia shot 54 percent from the field during the first half. Williams Baptist only converted six of 22 shots during the first 20 minutes leading to a 47-14 Cougar lead going into the locker rooms.

The Cougars continued their defensive pressure in the second half forcing the Eagles into 19 turnovers for the game. Columbia dished out 18 assists and outrebounded Williams Baptist 44-33.

Twelve of thirteen Cougars scored during tonight’s game. Terrance Smith scored 16 points to lead Columbia. Bryant Chambly and Marcus Bradford netted 13 and 10 points, respectively.

Braden Watson led the Eagles in scoring with 16 points. Chance Smith, the AMC’s leading scorer, was held to 11 points on three of nine shooting, even points below his season average.

With tonight’s win the Cougars will host a semifinal game on Thursday, March 2, against the No. 3 seeded McKendree (Ill.) College. McKendree defeated Harris-Stowe State (Mo.) University tonight by the score of 85-63. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. in the Arena of Southwell Complex.

February 27, 2006
Lady Cougars roll past UIS in AMC quarterfinal

Columbia, Mo. – The Columbia Lady Cougar basketball team recorded an 83-44 victory tonight over the University of Illinois at Springfield in quarterfinal action of the American Midwest Conference (AMC) Postseason Tournament. With the win the No. 2 seeded Lady Cougars push their overall record to 18-12 on the season. The No. 7 seeded Prairie Stars end their season with an overall mark of 6-25.

Columbia dominated the game from the opening tip, jumping out to a 20-5 lead 10 minutes into the game. The Lady Cougars did not allow UIS to score their first point, a free-throw, until the 15 minute mark. Columbia shot 53 percent from the field during the first half and forced UIS into 13 turnovers leading to a 49-20 advantage going into the locker rooms.

The Lady Cougars continued their defensive pressure in the second half only allowing 10 Prairie Star baskets. UIS committed 21 turnovers for the game and converted on only 30 percent of their shots from the field. Columbia outrebounded the Prairie Stars 52-29 for the game.

All eight Lady Cougars scored during tonight’s contest. Columbia was led by LeAnn Fossum’s 19 points. Rachel Davis added 16. Amanda Koetting and Valarie Suarez netted 12 and 10 points, respectively. Jessica Wilkerson pulled down 12 rebounds to lead Columbia.

LaTrice Nettles and Tamika Reeves each scored 11 points to lead the Prairie Stars.

With tonight’s win the Lady Cougars will host a semifinal game on Wednesday, March 1, against the No. 3 seeded McKendree (Ill.) College. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. in the Arena of Southwell Complex.

February 25, 2006
Cougars defeat Hannibal-LaGrange

Hannibal, Mo. – The Columbia Cougar men's basketball team pushed its record to 23-7 tonight, defeating Hannibal-LaGrange (Mo.) College in an American Midwest Conference (AMC) contest by a final score of 66-61. The win moves the Cougars to 9-3 vs. league foes.

Columbia led Hannibal 35-28 at halftime and held the Trojans to just nine field goals in the first 20 minutes of action. In the second half, Hannibal improved its shooting performance and outscored Columbia 33-31, but the Cougars’ first half lead proved to be insurmountable, giving Columbia the five-point victory.

Marcus Bradford paced Columbia in the win with 20 points. Nahowan Saxon added 10 points.

Columbia's AMC foe, the University of Illinois at Springfield, was defeated tonight in a match-up with Harris-Stowe State (Mo.) University. With the Cougars' win tonight and the Prairie Stars' loss, the two teams tie for the regular season AMC championship. Due to tiebreaking guidelines, UIS will be the No. 1 seed in next week's postseason tournament.

The Cougars are back in action on Tuesday, Feb. 28 when they host the quarterfinal round of the AMC postseason tournament. Tip-off for the contest is set for 7 p.m. Columbia’s opponent will be announced tomorrow when the postseason bracket is released.

February 25, 2006
Lady Cougars end regular season with a victory

Springfield, Ill. – The Columbia Lady Cougar basketball team recorded a 91-69 victory today over the University of Illinois at Springfield, pushing its overall mark to 17-12 on the season and 11-3 in the Conference. The Prairie Stars fall to 6-24 on the season and 3-11 in American Midwest Conference (AMC) action.

Columbia dominated the game leading the Prairie Stars 47-26 at the break. The Lady Cougars did not let down in the second half, shooting 51.7 percent, and 53 percent for the game. Columbia outrebounded the Prairie Stars 46-39 and forced UIS to turn the ball over 20 throughout the contest.

Six Lady Cougars scored in double figures led by Rachel Davis with 22 points and 11 rebounds. LeAnn Fossum added 18 points, Valerie Suarez netted 14 points and 11 rebounds, and Jessica Wilkerson chipped in 12 points, eight assists and eight rebounds. Laura Elliot and Amanda Koetting score 11 and 10 points, respectively. Tamika Reeves paced the Prairie Stars with 33 points and eight rebounds.

This was the final game of the regular season for the Lady Cougars. Columbia will enter AMC postseason play next week with a quarterfinal game on Monday, February 27. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. in the Arena of Southwell Complex. Columbia’s opponent will be announced tomorrow when the postseason bracket is released.

February 23, 2006
Cougars go on the road and knock off No. 20 UIS
Saxon gets 100th win as a Cougar

Springfield, Ill. – In front of a sold out crowd the Columbia Cougar men's basketball team went on the road tonight and defeated the University of Illinois at Springfield (UIS) 88-68. The win improves Columbia to 22-7 overall and 8-3 in American Midwest Conference (AMC) play. With the loss UIS (18-11, 9-2), which is ranked No. 20 in the latest NAIA Top 25 Poll, has left the door open for a share of the regular season conference championship.

With a Columbia win at Hannibal-LaGrange (10-18, 5-6) and a UIS loss at Harris-Stowe (3-25, 1-9) on Saturday night the Prairie Stars and Cougars would share the AMC regular season crown.

Columbia is assured of hosting an AMC Postseason Tournament quarterfinal game next Tuesday, Feb. 28 in the Arena of Southwell Complex at 7 p.m. Their opponent will not be determined until Saturday evening when regular season conference play is complete.

The Cougars started slow turning the ball over on five of their first seven possessions and fell behind 11-2. Columbia fought their way back shooting 59 percent from the field during the first half to take a 42-36 lead into the locker rooms. Columbia continued to roll in the second half converting on 40 percent of their shots and only allowing seven Prairie Star baskets leading to the 20 point win.

Marcus Bradford paced Columbia in the victory with 20 points. Terrance Smith and Terren Wilson each scored 19. David Inabnit chipped in 13 off the bench. Mikel Fields led the Cougars in rebounding with 11 boards.

Senior forward Nahowan Saxon scored two points and pulled down three rebounds in 11 minutes of action. With tonight’s win, Saxon is the eleventh player in Cougar Basketball history to record 100 victories during his four years at Columbia College.

Curtis Collins was the top scorer for the Prairie Stars with 26 points.

Columbia wraps up AMC play this Saturday, Feb. 25 when they travel to Hannibal, Mo. to take on Hannibal-LaGrange College. Tip-off for the contest is set for 7 p.m. The Cougars defeated the Trojans in Columbia on Feb. 2 by a score of 60-45.

February 21, 2006
Lady Cougars fall to Missouri Baptist

Columbia, Mo. – The Columbia Lady Cougar basketball team was defeated in an American Midwest Conference (AMC) contest tonight by Missouri Baptist University, falling to the Spartans 54-63. The loss moves Columbia to 16-12 overall and 10-3 in AMC play. The win pushes Missouri Baptist to 22-6 on the season and 11-2 in conference play.

Columbia trailed 23-40 after the first 20 minutes allowing the Spartans to shoot 50 percent from the field in the first half compared to just 20 percent for the Lady Cougars. Columbia led 10-2 two minutes into the contest, until Missouri Baptist surged through a 32-5 run. LeAnn Fossum hit a baseline jumper to end the drought for Columbia with just over three minutes to go in the first half.

In the second half, the Lady Cougars picked up the defensive pressure, holding Missouri Baptist to an 8 for 25 shooting performance. However, the Spartans’ 17-point halftime lead was too much to overcome as they walked away with the nine-point victory.

The Lady Cougars shot a disappointing 26 percent from the field for the game. Bench points proved to be the difference in tonight’s match-up with the Spartans’ bench outscoring the Lady Cougars' 34-10.

Fossum led Columbia with 22 points and 17 rebounds. Laura Elliot chipped in 10 points.

LaTrice McMichel led the effort for Missouri Baptist with 21 points. Angela Cerrito netted 18 points. Megan Brown also corralled 11 rebounds for the Spartans.

The Lady Cougars return to action on Saturday, Feb. 25 when they travel to Springfield, Ill. to take on the University of Illinois at Springfield in their final AMC regular-season contest. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.

February 18, 2006
Lady Cougar basketball team notches 72-66 win over Hannibal

Columbia, Mo. - The Columbia Lady Cougar basketball team knocked off Hannibal-LaGrange (Mo.) College today by a final score of 72-66. With the win, the Lady Cougars improve to 16-11 overall and 10-2 in AMC play. The Trojans fall to 11-17 overall and 6-6 vs. league opponents.

Columbia started the game with an 11-5 run, and extended their lead to 26-16 at the 10 minute mark. LeAnn Fossum and Jessica Wilkerson led a 45.5 percent shooting performance from the field with 10 points a piece during the first half. At the break, the Lady Cougars led 39-32.

A 9-2 run late in the second half sealed the deal for the Lady cougars. Columbia outrebounded the Trojans 52-36.

Three players collected double figures for the Lady Cougars, led by Fossum with 21 points. Wilkerson and Valarie Suarez tallied 16 and 14 points, respectively. Suarez also corralled 15 rebounds and four assists. Hannibal-LaGrange was paced by Laura Cowling with 20 points.

Columbia will return to action on Tuesday, Feb. 21 as they host Missouri Baptist University. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. The Lady Cougars defeated the Spartans 69-54 in their first match-up of the season. The Lady Cougars and Missouri Baptist are currently tied atop the AMC standings.

February 16, 2006
Cougars and Lady Cougars defeat Williams Baptist

Columbia, Mo. – The Columbia Cougar men's basketball team, playing their final regular season home contest, pushed their overall record to 21-7 tonight by defeating Williams Baptist (Ark.) College in an American Midwest Conference (AMC) battle by a final score of 93-73. The win moves the Cougars to 7-3 vs. league foes. The loss drops Williams Baptist to 5-21 overall and 0-9 in conference action.

Columbia led Williams Baptist 41-34 at halftime and held the Eagles to 15 field goals in the first 20 minutes of action. In the second half, the Cougars shot 51 percent from the field and 93 percent from the free throw line.

Marcus Bradford paced Columbia in the victory with 23 points. Terrance Smith also added 23, Terren Wilson scored 18 and Justin Falker totaled a career high 10. Nahowan Saxon grabbed a team-high seven rebounds. Chance Smith was the top scorer for the Eagles with 28 points.

Columbia is back in action on Thursday, Feb. 23 when they travel to Springfield, Ill. to take on the University of Illinois at Springfield. Tip-off for the contest is set for 7 p.m. The Prairie Stars defeated the Cougars in Columbia on Jan. 28 by a score of 63-68.

Walnut Ridge, Ark. – The Columbia Lady Cougar basketball team turned in their ninth American Midwest Conference (AMC) victory tonight, scoring an 81-71 win over Williams Baptist (Ark.) College. Columbia improves to 15-11 overall and 9-2 in conference action.

Columbia led 37-33 at the break behind a 43 percent shooting performance from the field in the first 20 minutes. The Lady Cougars stepped up the defensive pressure in the second half, forcing 17 turnovers to secure the ten-point victory. Columbia shot 82 percent from the free throw line in the contest, knocking down 23 of their 28 attempts.

Leading the effort for Columbia was Amanda Koetting with 24 points, including four three-pointers. Jessica Wilson added 13 points. Jessica Wilkerson recorded a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Laura Elliot and Rachel Davis tallied 11 and 10 points, respectively.

The Lady Cougars continue AMC play this Saturday, Feb. 18 when they host Hannibal-LaGrange (Mo.) College. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m. in the Arena of Southwell Complex.

February 28, 2006
Cougars down Eagles from Williams Baptist in AMC quarterfinals,
next up is McKendree at home on Thursday

The Cougars continued their defensive pressure in the second half forcing the Eagles into 19 turnovers for the game. Columbia dished out 18 assists and outrebounded Williams Baptist 44-33.

Twelve of thirteen Cougars scored during tonight’s game. Terrance Smith scored 16 points to lead Columbia. Bryant Chambly and Marcus Bradford netted 13 and 10 points, respectively.

Braden Watson led the Eagles in scoring with 16 points. Chance Smith, the AMC’s leading scorer, was held to 11 points on three of nine shooting, even points below his season average.

February 27, 2006
Lady Cougars roll past UIS in AMC quarterfinal

LaTrice Nettles and Tamika Reeves each scored 11 points to lead the Prairie Stars.

February 25, 2006
Cougars defeat Hannibal-LaGrange

Marcus Bradford paced Columbia in the win with 20 points. Nahowan Saxon added 10 points.

February 25, 2006
Lady Cougars end regular season with a victory

February 23, 2006
Cougars go on the road and knock off No. 20 UIS
Saxon gets 100th win as a Cougar

With a Columbia win at Hannibal-LaGrange (10-18, 5-6) and a UIS loss at Harris-Stowe (3-25, 1-9) on Saturday night the Prairie Stars and Cougars would share the AMC regular season crown.

Curtis Collins was the top scorer for the Prairie Stars with 26 points.

February 21, 2006
Lady Cougars fall to Missouri Baptist

Fossum led Columbia with 22 points and 17 rebounds. Laura Elliot chipped in 10 points.

LaTrice McMichel led the effort for Missouri Baptist with 21 points. Angela Cerrito netted 18 points. Megan Brown also corralled 11 rebounds for the Spartans.

February 18, 2006
Lady Cougar basketball team notches 72-66 win over Hannibal

A 9-2 run late in the second half sealed the deal for the Lady cougars. Columbia outrebounded the Trojans 52-36.

February 16, 2006
Cougars and Lady Cougars defeat Williams Baptist

The Lady Cougars continue AMC play this Saturday, Feb. 18 when they host Hannibal-LaGrange (Mo.) College. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m. in the Arena of Southwell Complex.

February 15, 2006
Rock Bridge senior Kristen Stevens
to play volleyball at Columbia College

Columbia, Mo. – Columbia College Volleyball Head Coach Melinda Wrye-Washington is pleased to announce that Kristen Stevens, a senior at Rock Bridge High School (Columbia, Mo.), will be a member of the 2006 Columbia College volleyball team. Stevens has played volleyball for three years at Rock Bridge High School and was the first ever libero for the Bruins. Stevens is also been a member of Club CoMo, a local U18 club team coached by current Cougar Volleyball player Amber Hardaway. Since 2003, Stevens has attended Mizzou, Nebraska and Columbia College summer volleyball camps.

"I have been interested in Cougar Volleyball since the ninth grade when I started attending some of their home matches. Coach Washington is a wonderful coach who knows what I am capable of achieving," said Stevens.

Washington sees a lot of qualities in Stevens that will be very beneficial to her at the next level. "Kristen is a hard worker that is dedicated to the sport of volleyball. She has always set her goals higher than everyone else and that is what we do year after year here at Columbia College."

Off the court Stevens is on the Leadership Team for Fellowship of Christian Athletes and is a representative of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America. Stevens is also on the A- Honor Roll and has been accepted to a select program at Boone Hospital for those students interested in a medical career.

In her free time she volunteers at Boone Hospital Center, is an A+ Tutor at Jefferson Junior High School and helps with the Central Missouri Food Bank.

February 11, 2006
McKendree Rallies to Drop Cougars
Lady Cougars record win over McKendree

Columbia, Mo. – The Columbia College women’s basketball team collected a win in American Midwest Conference (AMC) action tonight knocking off McKendree (Ill.) College 70-66. The Lady Cougars improve to 14-11 overall and 8-2 vs. league opponents.

Columbia trailed 31-33 at halftime behind a 38.5 percent shooting performance from the field. The two teams traded the lead throughout the second half until junior forward LeAnn Fossum was able to put the game away for the Lady Cougars, hitting consecutive three’s and sinking two free throws. Columbia outrebounded the Bearcats 46-33.

Pacing the Lady Cougars was Fossum, who racked up 22 points. Valerie Suarez added 20 and Rachel Davis tallied 10 points. Jessica Wilkerson totaled nine rebounds and four assists. Katie Hasheider was the top scorer for McKendree with 18 points.

The Lady Cougars return to the court on Thursday, Feb. 16 when they travel to Walnut Ridge, Ark. to take on AMC foe Williams Baptist College. Tip-off is slated for 6 p.m.

Lebanon, Ill. – In a classic McKendree (Ill.) College vs. Columbia (Mo.) College match-up, the Cougars took the Bearcats to the wire, but were unable to hold on down the stretch, falling 77-81 in overtime. The loss drops Columbia to 20-7 overall and 6-3 in conference play.

The Cougars only converted 28.6 percent of their shots from the field in the first half and trailed 30-34 at half. The Bearcats started the second half with a 6-0 run to extend their lead to ten points. McKendree remained in the lead until Cougar forward Bryant Chambly hit a three to tie the game at 67 with 20 seconds remaining in regulation time. Chambly’s basket sent the game into overtime where the Bearcats outscored the Cougars 14-10 to give McKendree the four-point victory.

Terren Wilson totaled 18 points to lead Columbia’s offensive effort. Nahowan Saxon added 16, Chambly and Terrance Smith dropped in 14 and 11 points, respectively. Bryant Lyles was the top scorer for McKendree with 30 points.

In addition to scoring 11 points in tonight's game, Smith is also the second Columbia basketball player of the week to score their 1,000th career point. Lady Cougar LeAnn Fossum scored her 1,000th career point earlier this week.

The Cougars return to action on Thursday, Feb. 16 when they host Williams Baptist (Ark.) College in their final regular season home contest. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. in the Arena of Southwell Complex. Columbia topped Williams Baptist on Jan. 21 by a score of 84-60. Prior to Thursday’s game seniors Justin Falker, David Inabnit, Terrance Smith, Nahowan Saxon and Obinna Amaefule will be honored as the play their final regular season home game as a Cougar.

February 9, 2006
Cougars Avenge Jan. 14 Loss to Missouri Baptist,
Record 20th Win of the Season

Columbia, Mo. – On Jan. 14 in St. Louis, Mo., the Columbia Cougar basketball team saw a five-game winning streak come to an end with a 74-75 loss to Missouri Baptist University. The Cougars managed to avenge that loss this evening, defeating the Spartans in The Arena of Southwell Complex, 82-76 in overtime to improve to 6-2 in AMC play.

The win moves Columbia’s overall record to 20-6 and gives head coach Bob Burchard the 16th 20-win season of his 18 year career at Columbia College. The loss drops the Spartans to 19-7 on the season and 5-3 in AMC play.

After a slow offensive start, the Cougars put together a run and take the lead 16-15 midway through the first half. However the Spartans were able to stay close throughout the first 20 minutes of action trailing the Cougars by just a four-point margin at the break, 35-31.

The Spartans outscored the Cougars in the first minutes of the second half to take the lead. With less than one minute remaining in regulation, Missouri Baptist led the Cougars 64-63. The Cougars’ Bryant Chambly hit a three pointer to put Columbia up two with 45 seconds remaining. Columbia then fouled the Spartans' Franklin Penn sending him to the line for two shots. Penn netted both free throws and tied the game. Both teams were unable to score in the final seconds, sending the game into overtime.

Columbia took the lead in overtime and never looked back, outscoring the Spartans 16-10, and walking away with the six-point victory.

Pacing the Cougars was Chambly with 24 points. Terren Wilson added 14, Terrance Smith had 13 and David Inabnit chipped in 10. Chambly was the top rebounder for Columbia with 16. Isaiah Johnson led Missouri Baptist with 22 points.

The Cougars return to American Midwest Conference action on Saturday, Feb. 11 when they travel to Lebanon, Ill. to take on McKendree (Ill.) College at 7 p.m. Columbia defeated McKendree in the first meeting of the season between the two teams, dropping the Bearcats 76-51 in Columbia on Jan. 19.

February 7, 2006
Lady Cougars fall to William Woods 71-77
Fossum scores 1,000th career point

Fulton, Mo. – The Columbia Lady basketball team dropped to 7-2 in American Midwest Conference (AMC) action tonight, falling William Woods (Mo.) University 71-77. With the loss, the Lady Cougars move to 13-11 overall. The win moves William Woods to 12-9 overall and 5-4 vs. league opponents.

The Lady Cougars pulled ahead for the first time in the game with just under 16 minutes left in the first half. Columbia held the lead and posted a 47-38 advantage at halftime behind a 45 percent shooting performance from the field.

Columbia remained in the lead until the 4:07 mark in the second half when the Owls pulled ahead by one. Both teams exchanged the lead until just under two minutes to play and the game tied at 71, when Owl guard Stephanie Burger put William Woods in the lead for good hitting a shot from the corner. The Lady Cougars were unable to answer as the Owls walked away with the six-point victory.

Pacing Columbia was LeAnn Fossum with 25 points. Valerie Suarez tallied 13 points, Jessica Wilkerson added 12 and Laura Elliot ended with 11. Rachel Davis also pulled down eight rebounds. Kim Tennill led the way for William Woods with 20 points.

In addition to being tonight’s leading scorer, Fossum also scored her 1,000th career point as a Lady Cougar. The Harrisburg, Mo. native needed 20 points coming into tonight’s contest to break the 1,000th point mark.

The Lady Cougars return to action on Saturday, Feb. 11 when they host McKendree (Ill.) College in another AMC contest. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. in The Arena of Southwell Complex.

February 4, 2006
Lady Cougars make it four straight,
Cougars notch victory over Harris-Stowe

St. Louis, Mo. – The Columbia Lady Cougar basketball team tallied their seventh victory of conference play today, defeating Harris-Stowe State (Mo.) University, 79-69. Columbia improves their overall record to 13-10 and 7-1 in American Midwest Conference (AMC) play. With the win, the Lady Cougars remain in a first place tie in the conference standings. The Hornets fall to 1-23 overall and 0-9 in AMC action.

The Lady Cougars led the Hornets 44-32 at halftime and held their lead in the second half for the 10 point win. Columbia finished the game shooting 53% from the field and 43% from three-point range.

The Lady Cougars committed 22 turnovers to keep the game close.

Five Lady Cougars finished in double figures. LeAnn Fossum paced Columbia with 22 points and 9 rebounds. Rachel Davis chipped in 13 points. Valarie Suarez ended with 12 points and 8 rebounds. Amanda Koetting and Jessica Wilkerson finished with 11 and 10 points, respectively.

The Lady Cougars continue AMC play on Tuesday, Feb. 7 when they travel to Fulton, Mo. to take on AMC rival William Woods (Mo.) University at 7 p.m. Columbia defeated the Owls on Jan. 14 in Columbia, 73-71 in triple overtime.

Columbia, Mo. - The Columbia College men’s basketball team improved to 5-2 in conference play today with an 94-46 win over Harris-Stowe State (Mo.) University. Columbia pushes their overall record to 19-6. The Hornets fall to 3-20 overall with tonight’s loss and 1-6 in AMC play.

In the first half, Columbia dominated the Hornets and led 46-15 at the break. The Cougars shot 53 percent from the field in the first 20 minutes, connecting on five of their 12 three point attempts and knocking down seven of nine free throw tries.

In the second half, Columbia took over the game, shooting 70 percent from the field and 67 percent from behind the arc. The Cougars outrebounded Harris-Stowe 47-38 and were able to block seven Hornet shots.

Three Cougars finished in double figures. Terrance Smith paced Columbia with 18 points and four assists. Bryant Chambly and David Inabnit ended with 15 and 13 points, respectively. Nahowan Saxon also pulled down 12 rebounds.

Renaud Lucas led Harris-Stowe in scoring with 14 points.

The Cougars continue AMC play on Thursday, Feb. 9 when they host Missouri Baptist University at 7 p.m. in the Arena of Southwell Complex. MBU handed Columbia one of their two AMC losses of the year earlier this season in St. Louis, Mo., 74-75.

February 2, 2006
Cougars outlast Hannibal-LaGrange

Columbia, Mo. – In a low scoring affair that only produced 105 total points, the Columbia Cougar men’s basketball squad notched a victory over American Midwest Conference (AMC) foe Hannibal-LaGrange (Mo.) College tonight. The Cougars downed the Trojans 60-45 to improve to 18-6 on the season.

Tonight’s contest was the last for both squads in the first round of the AMC regular season schedule. After meeting each AMC team one time, the Cougars are 4-2. The Trojans are now 9-15 overall and 3-3 vs. conference opponents.

In the first half, Hannibal-LaGrange shot 33 percent from the field, but committed nine turnovers, allowing the Cougars to hold a 30-20 advantage at halftime. Columbia shot 39 percent from the field during the first 20 minutes, led by Nahowan Saxon with 11 points.

Columbia ripped off a 12-2 run to open the second half. The Trojans picked up where they left off, shooting 33 percent in the second frame. The Cougars forced the Trojans into 22 turnovers in the game and logged 27 points off Hannibal’s miscues.

Bryant Chambly led all scorers with 19 points. Saxon notched 18. Marcus Bradford and Terrance Smith passed out four assists a piece and Chambly totaled four steals.

Josh Pickett was the top scorer for Hannibal-LaGrange with 14 points. Wayne McPike added 11.

Columbia begins the second half of the AMC regular season schedule this Saturday, Feb. 4. The Cougars host Harris-Stowe (Mo.) State University at 7 p.m. Columbia downed the Hornets in their first match-up of the season, 77-72.

February 2, 2006
Holdmeyer named 2005 Daktronics-NAIA Volleyball Scholar-Athlete

Earlier this week the NAIA officially released the members of the 2005 Daktronics-NAIA Volleyball Scholar-Athlete All-America team. Columbia College's Jenna Holdmeyer has been named a 2005 recipient of the national honor. Holdmeyer is receiving the award for the third time in her career at Columbia.

Members of the squad must hold at least junior status academically, make considerable contribution to their squad and have a cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.

Holdmeyer is from Marthasville, Mo. and for the third straight season, served as a defensive specialist for Columbia. Holdmeyer will be graduating from Columbia College in May with a degree in mathematics.

The Cougars, who were the seventh seed entering the 20-team national playoff, lost in the Championship match to defending NAIA National Champion California Baptist. Columbia finished with an overall record of 41-5.

Columbia College will host the 2006 and 2007 NAIA Volleyball National Championship.

For a complete list of the 2005 Daktronics-NAIA Volleyball Scholar-Athletes click on the link below.

http://naia.collegesports.com/sports/w-volley/spec-rel/013106aaa.html