Lady Eagles Take Sole Possession of First Place With Win Over (RV) Columbia

WALNUT RIDGE, Ark. (1/30/25) – The Williams Baptist University women's basketball team took sole possession of the first place spot in the American Midwest Conference standings after a 67-62 win over Columbia inside the Southerland-Mabee Center on Thursday night.

Carmen Taylor and Charmen Taylor led WBU in scoring with 19 points each.  Charmen also posted a season-high 10 rebounds for her first double-double of the season, while dishing out a team-high four assists.

As a team, Williams went 24-for-62 (38.7 percent) from the floor while holding Columbia to just 29.0 percent shooting and 18.2 percent behind the three-point line.  The Cougars won the rebound battle 50-38 and made 18-of-19 free throws in the contest.

A Kaylee Isaacs layup capped off a 17-6 run in the first quarter that put Williams up 18-10.  A Mya Miller free throw cut the lead to one and the Eagles went into the quarter break up 20-19.

The Lady Eagles offense turned up in the second quarter, going 9-for-18 from the field and forcing nine Cougar turnovers to out-score Columbia 26-11 and take a 46-30 lead at halftime.

Despite a cold streak in the third quarter, the Lady Eagles defense held strong to prevent a full Columbia comeback as Williams led 53-45 going into the final 10 minutes.

A Mallory Shetley layup with seven minutes to go in the fourth quarter cut the Lady Eagle lead to just one.  A turnover led to another Shetley layup that put the Cougars up 55-54.  The two teams traded buckets before a Carmen Taylor triple put WBU up 59-57.

Columbia tied up the ballgame at 60 on two Lexi Miller free throws, but Monica Horne put the Eagles back up by two with a jumper.  Taylor Hooten got a steal and hit her two free throws after the intentional foul with 42 seconds to go up 64-60.  Chelsea Hamilton was true for two at the line with 16 seconds left to ice the game for Williams.  WBU went on to win 67-62.

The win gives the Lady Eagles sole possession of first place in the AMC standings with a 13-1 conference record.  The Lady Eagles are now 11-1 inside the Southerland-Mabee Center.

WBU looks to continue its winning streak on Saturday, Feb. 1 when the team takes on Stephens at home.  Tip-off against the Stars is set for 2 p.m. inside the Southerland-Mabee Center.