COLUMBIA, Mo. – In the American Midwest Conference (AMC) Game of the Week, the (RV) William Woods University women's basketball team came up short, falling 77-54 to the No. 6 ranked Columbia College.
Coming off a dominating win earlier this week against Stephens College, the Owls (13-5, 8-4 AMC) had their work caught out on Saturday afternoon, facing the undefeated Cougars of Columbia College.
In the first quarter, after going bucket for bucket for the first 5:00 minutes of play, CC went on a 7-2 run, capped off by a two point basket from Corri Hamillton, making the score 13-6.
Then at the 2:16 mark, the Owls cut the Cougars lead down to just four, after a
Nia Lateju basket, putting the score at 13-9, still in CC favor. The Cougars ended the first quarter with a basket from Capresse Marshall, making the score 15-9.
The second quarter the Owls came out with some urgency, and got an offensive spark from
Marissa Webb, who sank a three pointer that ignited a 9-0 run for WWU, giving the Owls the 19-17 lead.
However, Columbia College responded by increasing its defensive pressure on WWU, which helped the Cougars put together a 10-0 run to close out the first half of play, but then with seconds winding down on the clock
Julia Wells found a open Webb in the corner, who nailed her second three of the game, which made the score 29-22. The Cougars would head into the locker room with the seven point advantage over WWU.
William Woods had a cold first half of shooting, going 7-of-25 from the field and 3-of-7 from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, CC ended the first half shooting 33.3 percent from the field, going 4-of-14 from three point line.
In the third quarter, it was Columbia College who ran away with the momentum, as Hamilton continued to have success in the paint, giving CC the 41-24 lead with 6:59 left in the third frame.
Heading into the fourth quarter, CC held onto to their double figure lead over the Owls, making the score 55-40. At the 6:02 mark the Cougars, went on to extend its lead out to 20 points and the Owls never could catch up to CC, as the No. 6 team in the nation proved why they have yet to fall this season, securing the 77-54 victory.
William Woods ended the day shooting better in the second half, closing out the game connecting on 33.9 percent from the field, while CC shot a hot 44.3 percent from the field and where 10-of-24 from downtown.
Lateju, had a strong display, as the senior led the team with a double-double performance, 12 points and 11 rebounds, while
Kennedy Volkart also ended the day with 12 points and Webb chipped in nine points and eight boards.
The Owls continue its road battle, as the team travels to Lyon College next Thursday to begin the second round of AMC play. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m.
