COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Stephens Stars defeated Columbia College on the road for the first time in program history, earning a decisive 67-54 victory over the (RV) Cougars on Saturday afternoon. The win also extended the Stars' streak to five straight victories.
After falling just short in a tight 67-69 contest in their previous matchup on Jan. 11 at Silverthorne Arena, Stephens was determined to take back a win, bringing unmatched energy from the court to the stands.
Chu Crockett led the way for the Stars, posting a game-high 24 points along with seven rebounds, three steals, and three blocks. Alonna Harvey-Williams delivered an efficient performance, shooting a perfect 5-for-5 from the field, including three three-pointers, to finish with 15 points, and Trinitee Alexander made a strong impact off the bench, contributing eight points and six rebounds.
Crockett wasted no time putting the Stars on the board, sinking a basket within seconds of tipoff. Stephens came out aggressive, forcing turnovers early as
Taylor Norris picked off a pass and found Alexander for a fast-break layup.
The first quarter ended on a high note, when Paula Puzule drained a three-pointer at the buzzer, extending Stephens' lead to 18-13.
The Stars continued to build momentum in the second quarter, with Crockett controlling the paint and Harvey-Williams knocking down key shots. Columbia College attempted to apply pressure, but Stephens responded with crisp ball movement and disciplined shot selection.
Syderah Farmer added a key three-pointer midway through the quarter, while Alexander and Perry-Ellis combined for back-to-back defensive stops. The Stars' defense tightened up, forcing multiple turnovers that led to transition points. By halftime, Stephens led 36-26.
Columbia attempted to rally in the third, cutting into the deficit with a quick five-point burst. However, the Stars answered with a strong inside presence, as Crockett muscled her way to the rim for a tough finish while drawing a foul.
Puzule then found Harvey-Williams in the corner for her third three-pointer of the night. Stephens' defensive presence—led by Syderah Farmer and Alexander—helped keep the Cougars at bay.
Crockett's steady scoring and an all-around effort from the bench, which contributed 11 points, allowed the Stars to maintain their composure and lead 54-43 entering the final period.
The fourth quarter sealed the historic win, as Stephens dominated defensively, tallying 11 steals in the game. Farmer and Norris each added late-game steals that turned into easy layups, helping the Stars close out the contest with confidence.
The Stars' relentless energy and execution down the stretch secured their place in the record books with their first-ever road win over Columbia College.
Stephens returns home on Thursday, Feb. 20, for a 5:30 p.m. matchup against the University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy. The game will also serve as Senior Night, honoring eight seniors for their contributions to the program.
