Lady Cougars start off 2010 with a win
Friday, January 01, 2010
Columbia, Mo. – In the first day of the Cougars vs. Cancer Classic presented by Cost Cutters, the Columbia College Lady Cougars defeated Lyon (Ark.) College by a final score of 65-57. The Lady Cougars, ranked No. 9 in the latest NAIA Top 25 Poll, increase their win streak to 10 games and move to 10-1 on the season. The Pipers drop to 9-2 overall, with both losses coming at the hands of the Lady Cougars.
After being idle since December 5th, Columbia started the game a little rusty, falling behind 21-14 in the first frame before making a 9-0 run to gain a two-point lead. The teams knotted the score at 29 heading into the break. The Lady Cougars shot 35 percent from the field, but drained three baskets from behind the arc and went six-for-six from the charity stripe.
In the second half Columbia took a one-point lead at the 13 minute mark. The ladies pushed their lead to 11 points within the next five minutes and were able to match the Pipers almost basket for basket the rest of the way and walk away with the eight-point win.
The Lady Cougars held Lyon to just 23 percent shooting in the second frame and outrebounded the Pipers 46-41.
Rachel Oswald led the Lady Cougars with 11 points. Veronica Smith just missed a double-double, finishing with nine points and 14 rebounds. Amanda Phillips blocked four Lyon shots and had seven rebounds.
In earlier women’s action, William Woods (Mo.) University defeated Missouri Valley College 72-55 to improve to 11-0 on the season.
Action continues tomorrow in the Cougars vs. Cancer Classic. At 2 p.m., William Woods will meet Lyon in a women’s showdown. The William Woods men’s squad will take on Culver-Stockton College at 4 p.m. At 6 p.m., the Lady Cougars will take the court vs. Missouri Valley College women’s squad, and at 8 p.m., the Cougars will square off vs. Graceland University.