Box Score Columbia, Mo. - The 4^th-ranked Cougar men's basketball team earned an 82-63 victory over visiting Hope International (Calif.) University on Saturday afternoon. Columbia, who defeated the Royals 66-64 in last year's NAIA National Championship second round game, improves to 3-0 on the season. The loss drops Hope International to 4-1.

The Cougars began the game on a 10-2 run and led by as many 10 in the first half, taking a 38-30 halftime lead. Columbia shot 50 percent in the opening period, while holding the Royals to a 32 percent clip. Derrick Dilworth led the Cougars with 10 first half points. Hope International kept things close for much of the second half but a 7-0 run by Columbia, capped off by a steal and dunk by Devin Griffin, put the game away down the stretch.

The Cougars shot 62 percent (18 of 29) in the second half, finishing at 56 percent for the game. Griffin led five Columbia players in double figures with 18 points off the bench. Derrick Dilworth added 15 points and Chantel Stanciel had 13 points and a game-high five assists. Griffin was also recognized for scoring his 1,000th career point at Columbia prior to game time.

The Cougars will be back in action on Tuesday, November 26^th when they travel to non-conference opponent Missouri Valley College. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. in Marshall, Mo.