Point Lookout, MO - Lady Cats College of the Ozarks put the game out of reach early and never let up, racing past Paine College 104-42 on Wednesday night at Keeter Gymnasium behind a dominant first quarter and a breakout performance from Logan Jones.

The Bobcats seized control from the opening tip, erupting for a 36-11 lead after the first quarter and setting the tone with pressure defense and efficient shooting. College of the Ozarks shot 54.4% from the field and 37.0% from 3-point range for the game, turning stops into transition opportunities and half-court looks that Paine struggled to contest. By halftime, the advantage had swelled to 57-19, and the Lady Bobcats maintained their edge through a balanced second half to cross the 100-point mark in the final minute.

Jones led all scorers with 25 points in just 22 minutes, going 11-of-16 from the floor and 3-of-7 from beyond the arc while adding four assists and three steals. Her early shot-making fueled the first-quarter surge, highlighted by a 3-pointer at the 4:04 mark that pushed the margin to 20-5. Perimeter shooting was a theme throughout the night, as College of the Ozarks finished with 10 made 3-pointers and repeatedly used the long ball to cap scoring runs.

The opening quarter proved decisive. After an Ashlen Garrett 3-pointer made it 15-5 midway through the first, the Bobcats continued to string together stops and quick-hitting scores. Aspen Cone’s jumper in the final minute of the period closed the frame with College of the Ozarks firmly in front, 36-11. The Bobcats outscored Paine 21-8 in the second quarter, with Jones adding another 3-pointer at 2:15 and a jumper in the closing seconds to send College of the Ozarks into the locker room with a 38-point cushion.

College of the Ozarks also controlled the glass and moved the ball effectively, finishing with a 45-28 rebounding advantage and 22 assists on 43 made field goals. Forward Keara Mattingley provided an inside presence, scoring 14 points on 7-of-8 shooting while grabbing seven rebounds. Cone added 16 points, including a 2-of-5 effort from 3-point range and a perfect 4-of-4 at the foul line, and Zoe Hinze supplied a spark off the bench with 11 points, seven rebounds and three 3-pointers, including a late triple that pushed the Bobcats to 104 points with 28 seconds remaining.

Defensively, the Bobcats held Paine to 26.7% shooting from the field and 20.0% from 3-point range, forcing 20 turnovers and turning many of them into transition opportunities the other way. College of the Ozarks picked up nine steals and consistently disrupted Paine’s offensive rhythm, limiting the visitors to 11 points or fewer in every quarter.

Paine was led by Leia Brown and Kyra McCrary, who each finished with eight points. Brown went 3-of-7 from the field, hit 2-of-5 from 3-point range and pulled down a team-high seven rebounds, including a 3-pointer in the closing seconds for the final 104-42 margin. A’Keira Blue also connected from deep in the fourth quarter, but Paine’s struggles with shooting and ball security proved too much to overcome against a surging College of the Ozarks team that showcased depth, balance and defensive intensity from start to finish.

The Lady Cat's will play Thursday, March 19th in the semifinals against the winner of Cedarville University and Houghton University with an 8:45 PM start.