Box Score Columbia, Mo. - The No. 1 ranked Cougar men's basketball team bounced back from their first loss of 2013-14 to defeat Avila University 102-72 on Saturday night in their first game of the Cougars vs. Cancer Classic, presented by Cost Cutters. Columbia moves to 10-1 on the year with the victory.

The Cougars trailed early in the first half, but used a 21-3 run midway through the frame and took a 48-34 lead into the halftime break. Columbia shot 50 percent (18 of 36) from the field in the opening period, led by Jeremy Nolen with 11 first half points. The Cougars would stretch their lead out to 32 in the second period and led by double digits throughout the final 20 minutes.

Columbia shot just under 50 percent (38 of 77) for the game, led by Devin Griffin with 18 points and Wendell Crowder with 15. Gerardo Isla racked added 12 points and 10 rebounds as the Cougars finished with a 62-34 advantage on the boards.

In Saturday's earlier game, Culver-Stockton College defeated William Woods University by a score of 93-81. Mario Gulley had a game-high 29 points to lead the Wildcats in the win.

Columbia will wrap up the Cougars vs. Cancer Classic tomorrow night against Culver-Stockton in a battle of top-20 teams in the NAIA. Game time is scheduled for 8:00 pm at the Arena of Southwell Complex and will follow the Columbia women's game vs. Cumberlands.

Click here to watch the post game interview with Head Coach Bob Burchard.