Box Score Columbia, Mo. - The Cougar men's basketball team came out on top in a battle of NAIA Top-25 teams on Sunday night, defeating 18^th-ranked Culver-Stockton College 92-90 in the 2013 Cougars vs. Cancer Classic, which was presented by Cost Cutters and helped raise over $5,500 for the Columbia College Relay for Life Team. Columbia, the NAIA's No. 1 ranked team, improves to 11-1 on the year with the win.

Both teams came out shooting to begin the first half, with Culver-Stockton's James Johnson knocking down a trio of three-pointers to give the Wildcats an early 24-17 lead. The Cougars battled back to take the lead for good at 35-34 on a three by Devin Griffin and went into the halftime break with a 51-46 advantage. Columbia shot 54 percent from the field in the first period compared to 47 percent for Culver-Stockton. Johnson led all players with 25 points at the break, while Griffin led the way for the Cougars with 12.

Columbia stretched its lead out to eight at 60-52 to begin the second half, but the Wildcats would respond with a 13-6 run as they trailed 66-65 at the 10:40 mark. The two teams traded baskets over the next six minutes before a three by Jeremy Nolen put the Cougars up 84-78 with 3:40 remaining. Culver-Stockton kept things close down the stretch before a pair of free throws by Griffin in the final minute put the game away for Columbia.

The Cougars hit 34 of 70 attempts (49 percent) from the field on the night and had four players in double figures, led by 21 points and five assists from Griffin. Chantel Stanciel finished with a career-high 15 points, while Patric Massey and Malik Ray added 14 and 10 respectively. Massey also pulled down a team-high eight rebounds. Johnson led all scorers with 44 points for the Wildcats, who shot 44 percent (30 of 69) on the night.

In Sunday's earlier game, William Woods University defeated Avila 86-78. The All-Classic Team was also announced following Sunday's games, which included Patrick Lewis from William Woods, Sedrick Johnson from Avila, Mario Gulley and James Johnson from Culver-Stockton, and Patric Massey from Columbia. Devin Griffin was named the tournament's most valuable player.

Columbia will return to action on Thursday, January 2^nd when they travel to American Midwest Conference (AMC) foe Park University. The Cougars and Pirates met in last season's AMC Tournament Championship game, with Columbia claiming a 77-63 victory to improve to 33-0. Game time is scheduled for 7:30 pm in Parkville, Mo.