Koalas Drop Conference Matchup Against Reinhardt

The Columbia College Fighting Koalas basketball team dropped a frustrating conference matchup against the visiting Reinhardt University Lady Eagles on Saturday afternoon in Porter Gymnasium.

Columbia came out of the gate strong, picking up early layups by Kaitlyn Smart and Taylor Smith and forcing turnovers, to take an 11-10 lead with just under twelve minutes remaining in the first half. The Lady Eagles roared back, however, spearheaded by a three from Erika Woodfin and a couple of baskets by Kateca Favors. At the half, Reinhardt led 28-21.

The second half, a time of redemption for the Koalas in recent weeks, did not play out as normal as the Eagles refused to relinquish their lead.  Lauren Mullinax hit two threes as part of her game high 15 points. Columbia fought back valiantly, and managed to cut the lead to just 9 with less than 3 minutes remaining, as Alison Sobataka went 3-6 from behind the arc for her 9 total points.

In the end, the Eagles managed to survive the pressure of free-throw shooting and buckets by Smart and Smith, and traveled back to Waleska with the 61-48 win.

Leading the Koalas on the day were Smart, with fourteen points and 6 rebounds, Smith with eleven points and 8 rebounds, and Sobataka with 9 points and 6 rebounds.

For the game, Columbia shot just 29% from the field while Reinhardt shot 33%. Columbia outrebounded the Lady Eagles, but were unable to punish them by making important foul shots.

Coach Chen said about the game, "We had the shots we wanted, we just need to work on finishing, and we didn't capitalize on their mistakes."

Columbia is now 3-9 in the conference and returns to action on the 29th when they visit Virginia Intermont for an important conference matchup, looking to go 2-0 against the Cobras on the season.