December 2006 Headlines
December 30, 2006
Cougars Handle Trinity International,
Lady Cougars Defeat Missouri Valley
Columbia, Mo. – The Lady Cougars and Cougars finished the Cartridge World/Cougars vs. Cancer Classic with a 3-1 record today with the women picking up a 104-75 victory over Missouri Valley College and the men prevailing over Trinity International (Ill.) University 84-62. The victory for the Columbia men’s squad moves its overall mark to 8-8. The Lady Cougars improve to 11-2 on the season with their victory over Missouri Valley.
The Lady Cougars led Missouri Valley 54-24 at halftime. In the second half Columbia capitalized on 25 Viking turnovers leading to 30 Columbia points. Columbia shot 49 percent from the field for the game to secure the 29 point win.
Pacing the Lady Cougars was Amber Lewellen with 24 points. Whitney Widaman chipped in 18. Valerie Suarez ended with 12 and LeAnn Fossum and Jessica Wilkerson each dropped in ten for the Lady Cougars. Bonnie Johnson paced Missouri Valley with 16 points.
In the men’s game, the Cougars jumped out to a 46-31 halftime lead, shooting 70.4 percent from the field. Despite hitting 39 percent from the field in the second frame, Columbia managed to outscore Trinity 38-31 to run away with the 22-point win.
Leading the effort for Columbia was Marcus Bradford with 21 points. Terren Wilson added 19 points. Brock Perkins chipped in 18 and Trae Hall scored 14. Joshua Edmon paced Trinity with 18 points.
In todays other games, the University of Sioux Falls (S.D.) defeated William Woods (Mo.) University 74-62 in women’s action. In the 4 p.m. men’s game, Central Methodist (Mo.) University defeated Taylor (Ind.) University 64-52.
Following the final game of the classic, a five-player all-classic team, as well as a most valuable player, was named for the men and the women. Players named to the men’s squad included Chad Reilly from Trinity International, Matt Sherman from Central Methodist, Chad Reynolds from Taylor and Terren Wilson and Marcus Bradford from Columbia. Central Methodist's Anthony Love received most valuable player accolades.
Members of the all-classic women’s squad included Morgan Campbell from Sioux Falls, Stephanie Burger from William Woods, Bonnie Johnson from Missouri Valley and Whitney Widaman and LeAnn Fossum from Columbia College. Lady Cougar forward Amber Lewellen was named the classic’s most valuable player.
The Lady Cougars return to action on Wednesday, Jan. 3 when they travel to Columbia, Ky. to face Lindsey Wilson College. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m. The men square off against Williams Baptist (Ark.) College on Thursday, Jan. 11 in Walnut Ridge, Ark. Start time is slated for 8 p.m.
December 29, 2006
Cougars fall to Taylor
Lady Cougars start Classic with a win
Columbia, Mo. – The Columbia Cougar basketball team fell to Taylor (Ind.) University tonight by a score of 50-54, while the Lady Cougars defeated the University of Sioux Falls (S.D.) 79-57 in the first day of the Cartridge World/Cougars vs. Cancer Classic. With the loss, the Cougars drop to 7-8. The victory pushes the women’s squad to 10-2 overall.
In women’s action, the Lady Cougars led 44-29 at halftime. the Cougars from Sioux Falls outrebounded Columbia 27-25 in the first frame.
In the second half, Sioux Falls continued to be strong on the boards. But offense proved to be the key as Columbia shot 42.9 percent from the field in the second half compared to Sioux Falls' 28.2 percent. The Lady Cougars took advantage of every offensive opportunity and eventually walked away with the 22-point victory.
Amber Lewellen led Columbia in the scoring with 18 points. LeAnn Fossum added 17 points and Rachel Davis chipped in 11 points.
In the men’s contest, Taylor edged the Cougars at halftime with a 21-18 score. Columbia and the Trojans continued to battle in the second half, however the Cougars were unable to stay one step ahead down the stretch as Taylor walked away with the four-point victory.
Columbia pulled in 40 rebounds and shot 32 percent from the field. Terren Wilson led Columbia with 14 points. Marcus Bradford was the leading rebounder with seven boards.
In early action of the classic, Missouri Valley College defeated William Woods (Mo.) University 77-67 in the 2 p.m. women’s contest. Central Methodist (Mo.) University defeated Trinity International (Ill.) University 80-63 in the 4 p.m. men’s match-up.
Action continues tomorrow in the Cartridge World/Cougars vs. Cancer Classic. The University of Sioux Falls will face William Woods University at 2 p.m. in women’s action. Central Methodist University will face Taylor University at 4 p.m. in men’s action. The Lady Cougars will take on Missouri Valley College at 6 p.m. and the Cougars will take on Trinity International University at 8 p.m.
December 18, 2006
Columbia tops St. Louis Christian 90-58
Columbia, Mo. – The Columbia Cougar men’s basketball team recorded a win tonight defeating the Soldiers of St. Louis Christian (Mo.) 90-58. The win improves the Cougars to 7-7 on the season. The loss drops the Soldiers to 9-5.
Columbia jumped out to a 38-32 first half lead shooting 41.7 percent from the field.
The Cougars continued their sharp shooting in the second 20 minutes of action connecting on 58 percent of their shots. Columbia outscored the Soldiers 52-26 in the second half to come away with the 32 point win. Columbia forced St. Louis Christian into 21 turnovers in the game, leading to 19 Cougar points.
Columbia had four players reach double digit points this evening. Leading the way for the Cougars was Marcus Bradford with 27. Terren Wilson ended with 23. Trae Hall and Ryan Steinhoff chipped in 12 and 11, respectively. Bradford also pulled down 18 boards to post his first double-double of the season.
Doug Junkins and Nathan Diveley scored 16 and 11 points, respectively, for St. Louis Christian.
The Cougars return to the hardwood on Dec. 29-30 when they, along with the Lady Cougars, host the 5th Annual Cougars vs. Cancer Classic presented by Cartridge World to benefit the American Cancer Society. Games will take place at 2, 4, 6 and 8 p.m. The Cougars will play the 8 p.m. contest each evening. Men’s teams participating in the event include Central Methodist (Mo.) University, Taylor (Ind.) University and Trinity International (Ill.) University. Columbia will take on Taylor on Friday, Dec. 29 and Trinity International on Saturday, Dec. 30.
December 16, 2006
Slow start leads to loss for Lady Cougars
Shawnee, Okla. - In women’s basketball action the Columbia Lady Cougars fell 67-79 to Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU). The loss drops Columbia, which is ranked No. 20 in the NAIA Top 25 poll, to 9-2 on the season.
OBU scored the game’s first 15 points and led by as many as 19 during the first 20 minutes of play. Columbia battled back to within two points with less than five minutes remaining in the game but were unable to take the lead.
Whitney Widamen led the Cougars in scoring with a career high 22 points. Amber Lewellen and Rachel Davis were the two other Lady Cougars in double figures posting 15 and 10 points, respectively. Danielle Riekeberg pulled down 12 rebounds.
The Lady Cougars defeated OBU on Nov. 6, in Columbia, 77-75 on a last second shot by freshman Whitney Davis.
Columbia returns to action in two weeks when they take part in the Cougars vs. Cancer Classic. The Lady Cougars will face the University of Sioux Falls (S.D.) at 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 29 and Missouri Valley College at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 30. Game times for the event, which will feature men’s and women’s teams from Missouri, South Dakota, Illinois and Indiana, are slated for 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. both days. All games will take place at The Arena of Southwell Complex. A portion of the proceeds raised during the event will benefit the American Cancer Society.
December 15, 2006
Cougars notch 21-point win over Tabor
Columbia, Mo. – The Columbia Cougar men’s basketball team defeated Tabor College today, 72-51. The win moves Columbia to 6-7 on the season. The loss drops the Bluejay's to 4-8.
Columbia led Tabor 44-21 at halftime. Columbia’s rebounding effort proved to be the difference in the contest, with the Cougars corralling 43 rebounds to the Bluejays' 32. Columbia shot 43 percent from the field and 77.8 percent from the free throw line.
Terren Wilson led the effort for Columbia with 20 points and six rebounds. Also in double figures was Marcus Bradford with 12 points. Trae Hall, Brock Perkins and Mikel Fields all ended with 11 points a piece. Ryan Steinhoff posted six assists
Mike Stoecker paced Tabor with 10 points.
The Cougars return to the court on Monday, Dec. 18 when they host St. Louis Christian (Mo.) College. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. in the Arena of Southwell Complex.
December 14, 2006
Lady Cougars remain at No. 20 in latest NAIA Top 25 Poll
Lewellen and Bradford named Player of the Week
Columbia, Mo. – After picking up a two wins last week, the Columbia Lady Cougar basketball squad remained at No. 20 in this week’s NAIA Top 25 Rating. The Lady Cougars, who are 9-1 on the season, tallied 120 points.
Vanguard (Calif.) University stayed atop this week’s poll with ten first place votes and a 7-0 record. Oklahoma City University is second with an 8-0 mark, followed by Union (Tenn.) University at 9-2 and Montana-Western University at 14-0. Lubbock Christian (Texas) University rounds out the top five with a record of 8-1.
For her efforts last week Lady Cougar Amber Lewellen has been selected as the American Midwest Conference (AMC) Women's Basketball Player of the Week for Dec. 11. Lewellen was a big force in leading the Lady Cougars to a pair of victories last week. Lewellen averaged 29 points, six rebounds and four steals in the two games, shooting a torrid 69 percent from the field. Lewellen had 32 points in an 89-69 win at home against Park University, and followed that with a 26-point effort in a 79-66 win over John Brown University.
In Cougar men’s basketball news, Marcus Bradford has been named the AMC Men's Basketball Player of the Week. In three games last week, Bradford averaged 17.7 points, five rebounds and two assists per contest. Bradford was 16-of-44 from the field, including a 42 percent clip from three-point range. He also hit 83.3 percent from the free throw line. Bradford had a 22-point, four-assist performance against Bellevue University on Dec. 9.
The Lady Cougars travel to Shawnee, Okla. on Saturday, Dec. 16 to take on Oklahoma Baptist University. Oklahoma Baptist is just outside the nation’s top 25 at No. 30 with 17 votes. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m.
December 9, 2006
Lady Cougar basketball downs John Brown,
Cougar basketball falls to Bellevue
Columbia, Mo. - The Lady Cougars, who are ranked No. 20 in the NAIA Top 25 Poll, defeated visiting John Brown (Ark.) University 79-66 this afternoon. The win improves Columbia's overall record to 9-1 on the season. The loss drops the Golden Eagles to 3-8 overall.
Columbia shot 46.7 percent from the field and out rebounded the Golden Eagles 41-36. The Lady Cougars defense forced 25 John Brown turnovers.
Amber Lewellen led the Columbia attack. Lewellen scored 26 points and pulled down six rebounds. LeAnn Fossum chipped in 14 points. Whitney Davis passed out eight assists.
Columbia returns to the court next Saturday, Dec. 16 to take on Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, Okla. Start time is slated for 1 p.m.
In men’s basketball action, the Cougars fell to Bellevue (Neb.) University 59-71. With the loss the Cougars fall to 5-7 on the year. Bellevue, the No. 5 ranked team in the NAIA Division II Poll, moves to 12-0 on the season.
Senior forward Marcus Bradford led the Cougars in scoring with 22 points. William Boatwright pulled in nine rebounds to lead Columbia.
Columbia was out rebounded 33-49 and committed 12 turnovers while only forcing ten. Columbia shot 37.9 percent from the field, 41.7 percent from 3-point range and 57 percent from the line.
The Cougars continue play next Friday, Dec. 15 when they host Tabor (Kan.) College. Start time is slated for noon in the Arena at Southwell Complex.
December 8, 2006
Cougars blitz Concordia Seminary
Columbia, Mo. - The Columbia Cougar men’s basketball team recorded a win tonight, defeating Concordia Seminary (Mo.) 99-43. The win moves the Cougars to 5-6 on the season. The loss drops the Preachers to 1-11.
High pressure defense and good ball movement allowed the Cougars to take a commanding 49-18 lead into the locker room. The Cougars hit on all cylinders offensively and defensively during tonight's match-up, shooting 41.5 percent from the field and 76 percent from the charity stripe. Columbia forced 31 Preacher turnovers leading to the 56-point victory.
Four players scored in double figures for Columbia, paced by Mikel Fields' 25 points. Fields was 10 of 13 from the field including two of three from behind the 3-point arc. Marcus Bradford added 17 points. Terren Wilson dropped in 14 points and Trae Hall ended with 11. William Boatwright led the Cougars in rebounding with a career high 21 rebounds.
The Preachers were led in scoring by Jeremy Lucke’s 19 points.
The Cougars return to action tomorrow when they host Bellevue (Neb.) University at 4 p.m. in the Arena of Southwell Complex. The Bruins are ranked No. 5 in the latest NAIA Division II Top 25 Rating.
December 7, 2006
Lady Cougars jump to No. 20 in first NAIA Top 25 poll,
Rachel Davis receives Player of the Week accolades
Columbia, Mo. – The Columbia Lady Cougar basketball team jumped five spots in the first NAIA Top 25 Rating of the season, moving from the No. 25 spot it held in the preseason poll to No. 20 in yesterday’s ranking. Columbia, which is 8-1 on the season, totaled 108 points.
Vanguard (Calif.) University is in the top position after starting the 2006-07 campaign 6-0. No. 2 ranked Oklahoma City University is off to a 7-0 start and pulled in one first place vote. Union (Tenn.) University is third, followed by Montana-Western University and Lubbock Christian (Texas) University rounds out the top five with a 7-1 record.
For the first time this season Lady Cougar forward Rachel Davis was named American Midwest Conference player of the week. Davis had a team high 18 points, eight rebounds and three blocked shots in Columbia’s overtime win against Lindenwood (Mo.) University.
The Lady Cougars are back in action on Saturday, Dec. 9 when they host John Brown (Ark.) University at 2 p.m. in the Arena of Southwell Complex.
December 5, 2006
Cougars defeat Missouri Valley by six
Columbia, Mo. - The Columbia Cougar men's basketball team recorded a win at home tonight, defeating Missouri Valley College 72-66. With the win, the Cougars improve to 4-6 on the season. The Vikings drop to 8-3.
In the first half of action the Cougars struggled offensively, going 0 for 12 from three-point range and shooting just 29 percent from the field. The Vikings made five of their nine attempts from behind the arc, leading to a 30-24 advantage at the break.
The Cougars tied up the score within the first minute of the second half due to back-to-back three pointers by Marcus Bradford and Trae Hall, but the Vikings came back strong putting together a 13-5 run in the next six minutes of play. The Cougars finally gained the lead with just under eight minutes left to play. Missouri Valley once again came back strong with a last minute run, but the Cougars were able to hold them off and post the six-point victory.
Four Cougars scored in double figures tonight, led by Terren Wilson with 22 points. Marcus Bradford and Mikel Fields chipped in 14 points a piece and Trae Hall ended with 10. Fields and Ryan Steinhoff each pulled in nine boards, while Hall dished out five assists.
Damon Collins led the way for the Vikings with 13 points.
The Cougars return to the court on Friday, Dec. 8. Columbia will host Concordia Seminary (Mo.) College at 7 p.m. in the Arena of Southwell Complex.
December 5, 2006
Three Cougar volleyball players earn All-America accolades,
Three members earn Scholar-Athlete honors
Columbia, Mo. – Three members of the 2006 Columbia College volleyball squad have been named NAIA All-Americans, according to a release from the national office in Olathe, Kan. earlier today. Luana Branco, Rael Rotich and Yi Zhang were selected for the national honor by a committee of NAIA volleyball coaches from across the country based on their contributions to the Cougar volleyball program during the 2006 season.
Head Coach Melinda Wrye-Washington's Cougars made a run through last week’s NAIA national championship before losing to Fresno Pacific (Calif.) in the quarterfinal. Her team finished with American Midwest Conference (AMC) regular season and tournament championships and completed the campaign with a 43-7 record. A Columbia graduate, Wrye-Washington returned to the school in 2000 and has led the team to a semifinal appearance, three second place finishes and one national championship while posting a 285-33 record through seven seasons.
Branco was one of 12 players selected for first team accolades. Branco, who was an honorable-mention All-American last year at Columbia, appeared in 168 games in her sophomore campaign as a setter, totaling 318 kills and 1792 assists for an average of 10.7 a game. In addition, she led the team in digs with 781 and totaled 58 service aces. The Sao Paulo, Brazil native also garnered AMC and Region V setter of the Year honors.
Rotich, who is a sophomore from Eldoret, Kenya., is a 2006 NAIA honorable mention All-American selection. The sophomore played in 166 games for Columbia this season and led the squad in kills, averaging 4.1 a game. She also totaled 126 digs and 101 blocks. Rotich was a first team all-conference and all-region selection and was also named to last week’s NAIA National Tournament All-Tournament team.
Zhang, a sophomore outside hitter for the Cougars, is also an honorable mention All-American honoree. Zhang, who hails from Suzhou, China, led Columbia in aces, totaling 84 and was second on the team with 566 digs. She also recorded 522 kills for an average of 3.1 a game. Zhang was also rewarded with all-conference and all-region accolades for her efforts in 2006.
In addition to the All-American honors, three members of the Cougar volleyball team have been named 2006 Daktronics-NAIA Volleyball Scholar-Athletes. Shari Tuttle, Erin McCaffrey and Jeanie Meyers are 2006 recipients of the award.
Members of the squad must hold at least junior status academically and hold a cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.
Tuttle is a native of Summersville, Mo. and appeared in 144 games this season. Tuttle, who is majoring in Business Administration, recorded 378 digs this season as a defensive specialist. She also tallied 14 service aces.
McCaffrey, who hails from Kalamazoo, Mich., totaled 50 digs, 55 kills, 18 service aces and 33 blocks this season. McCaffrey is majoring in Forensic Science at Columbia College.
Meyers is a native of Green Ridge, Mo. majoring in Elementary Education. This season Meyers tallied 142 digs in 65 games. In addition, she contributed 50 assists.
A complete list of the 2006 NAIA All-America and Scholar-Athlete volleyball squads can be found at www.naia.org.
December 4, 2006
Columbia College’s Mike Davis records 400th career victory
Columbia, Mo. - The Columbia College Lady Cougars improved to 8-1 tonight after defeating the Pirates from Park University by a score of 89-69. The win also improves Head Coach Mike Davis’ career coaching record to 400-199 (.667).
In just five seasons, Davis has brought the Columbia College women's basketball program to a level that competes at the national level each and every year.
This was no easy task considering Columbia College had just reinstated women's basketball as an intercollegiate sport in 2000 when Davis first arrived. In his first five seasons, Davis has amassed a record of 140 wins and just 42 losses (.769).
Davis has guided the team to NAIA Division I National Tournament appearances in four out of the past five seasons, moving into the second round in 2003-04 and 2004-05. Davis has also guided the Lady Cougars to three American Midwest Conference (AMC) championships. In addition, Davis has been named the AMC Coach of the Year during four of his five years at the helm of the Lady Cougars.
Davis joined Columbia College following a successful stint at Central Methodist University in Fayette, Mo. In 12 years as head coach of the CMU program Davis recorded six seasons of 20 or more victories and an overall record of 260-157 (.624). In his last four seasons at CMU, the Lady Eagles made trips to the NAIA Division II National Championship Tournament, including a trip to the Final Four in 1999.
Mike’s wife, Susan, is the Director of Alumni Services at Columbia College. They reside in Boonville, Mo., with their son, Wesley, 12. Their daughter Whitney, 18, a freshman at Columbia College, is the starting point guard for the Lady Cougar this season.
December 4, 2006
Lady Cougars down Park 89-69
Columbia, Mo. - The Columbia College Lady Cougars improved to 8-1 tonight after defeating the Pirates from Park University by a score of 89-69. The Pirates fall to 1-13 on the season.
The Lady Cougars, ranked No. 25 in the preseason Top 25 poll, led Park 54-42 at the half. Junior Forward Amber Lewellen posted 21 of the Cougars first half points.
In the second half Columbia dominated from the start, outscoring the Pirates 35-27. The Lady Cougars shot 43 percent from the field, and 47 percent from behind the arc, draining seven of their 15 attempts.
Lewellen ended with 32 points, six rebounds and three steals. LeAnn Fossum chipped in 16 points and seven rebounds and Whitney Widaman had 11 points. Whitney Davis dished out seven assists.
Rachel Bankhead led Park with 18 points.
Columbia returns to action on Saturday, Dec. 9 when they host John Brown (Ark.) University. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. in the Arena of Southwell Complex.
December 1, 2006
Volleyball Cougars fall to Fresno Pacific in quarterfinals of NAIA National Tournament
Columbia, Mo. – The Columbia Cougar volleyball team saw its 2006 season come to a close this afternoon, falling to Fresno Pacific (Calif.) University 22-30, 21-30, 30-26 and 27-30 in the quarterfinal round of the NAIA National Tournament. With today’s loss, the Cougars finish the 2006 season with a mark of 43-7.
Leading the effort for Columbia vs. Fresno Pacific was Rael Rotich with 18 kills. Juliana Quadrado added 17 kills. Luana Branco totaled 38 assists and 14 digs in the effort. Senior Shari Tuttle posted 17 digs.
