Lady Cougars take down No. 21 Loyola
Saturday, December 05, 2009
New Orleans, La. – The Columbia Lady Cougars extend their win streak to nine games today after defeating No. 21 ranked Loyola (La.) University by a score of 81-65. Columbia, ranked No. 14 in the NAIA Preseason Top 25 Poll, improves to 9-1 on the season with today’s victory. The Wolfpack from Loyola fall to 3-2 on the season with their first loss of the season coming to No. 1 ranked Union University just like the Lady Cougars.
The Lady Cougars struggled offensively in the first half and found themselves down one at the break, 34-33. Columbia shot 39 percent but missed numerous wide open shots and went just four-for-eight from the charity stripe.
The two teams traded baskets and the lead in the opening minutes of the second half, until Columbia took a 44-42 lead at the 16 minute mark. The Lady Cougars went on a 14-0 run over the next five minutes that the Wolfpack just could not recover from. Columbia’s 69 percent shooting from the field could not be matched by Loyola, who shot just 32 percent from the field in the second frame.
Columbia won the battle on the boards 47-31 and finished the game shooting 70 percent from the free throw line after their difficult start.
Veronica Smith led four Lady Cougars in double figures. Smith recorded her second straight double-double, notching 22 points and 12 boards. Denise Rosario chipped in 20 points including 15 in the first half. Kandace Cross and Rachel Oswald had 12 and 11 points, respectively.
Trenese Smith led Loyola with 23 points.
The Lady Cougars close out the first half of the season with a game against Peru State (Neb.) University on Wednesday, December 9th. Game time is slated for 7:00 p.m. in Peru, Neb.
Columbia will return to the court after the holidays for the annual Cougars vs. Cancer Classic on January 1st and 2nd in the Arena of Southwell Complex.