ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The Harris-Stowe State University women's basketball team was back in action this afternoon when they played host to the Columbia (Mo.) College Cougars in an AMC matchup. The Hornets were defeated by the Cougars by a final score of 67-54 to fall to 5-8 on the season and 5-5 in the American Midwest Conference. With the win, the Cougars improve to 11-4 on the season and 9-2 in the AMC.
 
Harris-Stowe came out in the first quarter of the game and jumped out to an early 6-1 lead. The Cougars bounced back and were able to respond with a 9-3 run to take a 10-9 advantage midway through the quarter. The Hornets picked it up down the final stretch of the frame and were able to use a 13-2 run to take a 22-12 lead into the second. The Cougars quickly cut the score back down to four with six minutes to play in the half, but another run from the Hornets put them up 32-23 late in the quarter. The Cougars were able to cut into the lead down the final stretch but ultimately the Hornets would take a 33-28 lead into the locker room.
 
The Hornets came out in the third quarter and scored the first seven point of the frame to extend their lead to 12. Despite being down, the Cougars hung around and went on a 18-7 run to end the quarter to cut the Hornets lead to 47-46 heading into the fourth. The Cougars were able to take the lead on their first possession of the fourth and then used a 17-7 run over the next few minutes to take a 65-54 lead late in the game. The Hornets did their best to get back into the game but could not cut into the Cougars lead as Columbia held them off in the final minutes to solidify the win.
 
Harris-Stowe had a tough time scoring the ball in this one as they went 19-for-60 (31.7%) from the floor and 6-for-17 (35.3%) from behind the arc. They were outrebounded 42-38 and turned the ball over 19 times while forcing the Cougars to turn it over 17 times.
 
Surina Finnie led the way for the Hornets as she finished with 14 points and six rebounds. In addition to Finnie, Maia Marshall and Ronne'zja Elliot both finished with 14 points, and Taia Smith grabbed a team high nine rebounds to round out the top performers for Harris-Stowe.
 
The Hornets return to the court on Monday, February 15th when they play host to the Missouri Baptist University Spartans in an AMC matchup. No spectators will be allowed to attend but live stats and video will be provided. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m.