At the end of the first half, the Bobcats only trailed 35-31 to the preseason NAIA Division I 18^th-ranked Columbia College Cougars.  However, the Cougars got hot and took command at the beginning of the second half to capture their fifth win of the season as they topped the Bobcats 65-49.
 
With the loss, PSC falls to 0-4 for the year.
 
The Cougars got on the board first to take a quick 2-0 lead before Amelia Allington (Ashland) canned a three-pointer giving the 'Cats a 3-2 lead. 
 
The teams traded leads numerous times in the first half as well as knotting the score on several occasions.  The largest Bobcat lead of the first half was three points at 29-26 with 2:09 left and again at 1:18 remaining leading 31-28. 
 
However, the Cougars held the 'Cats scoreless and scored the final seven points of the half to take a 35-31 lead. 
 
At the start of the second half, Columbia outscored Peru State seven to one to stretch the lead to ten points.  A three-pointer by Sydney Young (Omaha) closed the gap to seven, but that would be as close as the Bobcats would get during the rest of the half.  The Cougars continually stretched the lead to as many as 22 before the 'Cats closed to the final margin.


 
Game Statistics
 
Columbia outshot the Bobcats from the field and free throw line.  Columbia made 22 of 61 from the floor for 36.1% including six of 16 from behind the arc.  PSC went 16 of 61 in field goals for 26.2% and did manage to do better from the three-point line as they finished with five of 13 for 38.5%.  At the free throw line, the Cougars made 15 of 17 for 88.2% while PSC canned 12 of 18 for 66.7%.
 
The taller Cougars outrebounded PSC by 11, 45 to 34.  The turnovers were near the same as the 'Cats committed 16 while Columbia finished with 15 miscues.
 
Individual Statistics
 
Allington finished the game with her first double-double of her young career as she put in 17 points and grabbed 11 rebounds – both team highs.  Her 17 points tied her for game-high honors.
 
Katie Potter (Omaha) finished the game with ten points.  Potter also had three rebounds, two steals, and one assist.
 
Young and Courtney Ward (Bartlesville, Okla.) each finished with eight points.  Ward also grabbed five rebounds and blocked two shots.
 
KNCY Player of the Game
 
KNCY radio visited with Amelia Allington following the game after her first career double-double.  Allington was pleased with the team's first-half play, but was disappointed on how they finished.  Allington said, “It was tough with the big 6-3 girl, but I just had to push her around a little bit to get her out of the way.  Courtney and I are coached to move the players out if we can.”  Discussing the second half, Allington said, “At times, we pushed the ball too hard in the second half and rushed a little too much.  We did not play in the second half as we did in the first.  We just have to remember to not push, but to be patient until we have numbers.  We need a “W” which will help us with our confidence.”

Game Box Score
 
Next Games
 
The Bobcats are traveling to Deerfield, Ill., to play in the Trinity International University Classic on Friday and Saturday.  On Friday, Peru State will play the tourney hosts at 3 p.m.  Saturday, PSC will play the University of St. Francis at 2 p.m.