Box Score Fulton, Mo. - The 4^th-ranked Columbia men's basketball team survived a second half comeback from William Woods University and posted a 75-71 win on Thursday night in the American Midwest Conference (AMC) opener for both squads. The Cougars improve to 7-0 overall and 1-0 in conference play with their 43^rd consecutive regular season victory dating back to the 2011-12 season.

Derrick Dilworth got Columbia off to a quick start to begin the first half, scoring the club's first eight points on a pair of three-pointers as they jumped out to an early 12-0 lead. The Cougars led by as many as 15 midway through the frame, but a 17-2 run by the Owls tied the game at 24 with 5:19 to play in the opening period. The two squads went back and forth over the remainder of the half, with Columbia taking a 39-35 halftime lead. The Cougars hit 16 of 34 attempts (47 percent) from the field in the period compared to 44 percent for William Woods.

Columbia would stretch its lead back out to ten to start the second half as Jeremy Nolen scored seven points during a 9-3 run for a 50-40 Cougar advantage. Columbia was able to hold the Owls at bay for the majority of the final period as they extended their lead out to 69-54 with less than six minutes remaining. However, William Woods would make one final run down the stretch and cut the Cougar lead to six at 72-66 with 37 seconds to play in regulation. Following a free throw by Dilworth and a pair of buckets for the Owls, Chantel Stanciel put Columbia up 74-71 with 16 seconds left. William Woods had a chance to tie the game with a three, but the Cougars would force a crucial turnover on the next possession and knock down one of two free throws to avoid the upset.

Dilworth led four Columbia players in double figures with 16 points. Nolen notched his first double-double of the season with 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Devin Griffin and Gerardo Isla added 13 and 10 points off the bench respectively. Jonathon Nutt led all scorers with 21 points for the Owls.

The Cougars will be back on the road to resume AMC action on Saturday when they travel to Harris-Stowe State University. Game time is set for 4:00 pm in St. Louis, Mo.