Women's Basketball Split Week with Tough Loss at Home and Resilient Road Win

The Trojans finished the week with a split, dropping a tough home game to Barton but bouncing back with a big road win against Cowley.

The Colby women's basketball team hosted Barton at the Colby Event Center Wednesday (Jan. 28), but came up short in a hard-fought battle, losing 63-53. Barton jumped out early and maintained their lead throughout the game, ultimately outscoring Colby 22-12 in the first quarter and holding on to their advantage the rest of the way.

Barton shot a solid 42.6% from the field and 50% from three-point range, connecting on five of ten attempts. They also went 12-for-17 at the free-throw line, which proved crucial in maintaining their lead. Their attack was highlighted by Regina Donanu, who scored 19 points on 9-of-27 shooting, and Mary Akinde, who added 10 points and made all four free throws she attempted. The Trojans struggled from beyond the arc, making just 1 of 11 three-pointers.

Colby's offense was powered by Dessirae Ulmer, who poured in a team-high 22 points on an efficient 7-for-20 shooting. Off the bench, Jera Kruleski made her mark with the game's only three-pointer and added two steals, providing a spark on both ends. Paishintz Booker went perfect from the field with 2-for-2 shooting and finishing with six points, helping keep the Trojans in the game.

The Trojans fought hard and kept the game competitive, but Barton's efficient shooting kept them ahead throughout the contest.

The team then traveled to W.S. Scott faced Cowley County and pulled out a hard-fought 60-58 victory at Cowley County Saturday (Jan. 31). The game was tightly contested from the start, with Cowley leading early and holding an 18-13 advantage after the first quarter. Colby responded in the second, outscoring Cowley 13-10 to trail 28-26 at halftime.

Colby's defense ramped up in the third quarter, holding Cowley to just 17 points and flipping the momentum in their favor. The Trojans' balanced offensive attack was on full display, shooting 43.4% from the field and knocking down 11 three-pointers at a 40.7% clip. Leading the charge was Amisha Russell, who delivered a career-high 22 points on an incredibly efficient 8-for-9 shooting from the floor and 6-for-7 from beyond the arc. She also contributed two assists, three rebounds, and a steal, making a huge impact on both ends. 

Olivia Hultgren provided a spark with a clutch 17 points, including five big three-pointers that kept Colby alive and gave them the lead. Inside, Dessirae Ulmer contributed 11 points and 9 rebounds, while Easha Potts added six points, along with three steals and 10 rebounds, providing crucial energy and hustle on both ends.

Cowley battled hard and kept the game close, thanks in part to their efficient shooting and active defense. Aniyah Burney scored 20 points and dished out 5 assists for Cowley, while Megan Simon added 18 points and was perfect at the free-throw line. Cowley's relentless effort in grabbing rebounds and forcing turnovers kept the game competitive, but Colby's resilience and clutch shooting in the final minutes secured the win.

The game featured six lead changes and three ties, reflecting how evenly matched the teams were. Cowley's aggressive rebounding and second-chance points kept the game close, but Colby's disciplined execution, especially from beyond the arc, proved decisive. The Trojans made key free throws in the final seconds to seal the victory, finishing 3-for-8 at the line but playing tough defense to prevent Cowley from scoring in the closing moments.

The Trojans will now face No. 3 Dodge City at home Wednesday (Feb. 4).