Box Score Parkville, Mo. - The Lady Cougar Basketball squad survived a stiff test from conference opponent Park University on Thursday night as they hung on for an 84-78 road victory. Columbia, ranked 21^st in the NAIA Top 25 Poll, improves to 7-4 overall on the year and 3-0 in American Midwest Conference (AMC) play with the win.

Kayla Washington scored ten straight points to open the game for the Lady Cougars as the two teams went back and forth in the opening minutes for a 10-10 tie at the 14:44 mark. The Pirates then used a 9-2 run to take their largest lead of the period at 19-12 with 11:16 to play in the first half. Columbia battled back to take a brief 28-27 lead on a three-pointer by Aqua Corpening, but Park would outscore the Lady Cougars 15-9 over the final six minutes to take a 42-37 advantage into the halftime break. Despite shooting 52 percent from the field, Columbia committed 15 first period turnovers which led to 11 points for Park in the opening frame.

The Pirates extended their out to nine to begin the second half, but the Lady Cougars mounted a 10-0 run to grab a 56-55 lead on a bucket by Laurel Wichmann at the 13:13 mark. The two teams would trade baskets over the next five minutes, with Park taking a 69-66 advantage with 6:16 to play. Columbia responded with seven unanswered points during the next two minutes as Wichmann capped off the run with a three-point play for a 73-69 Lady Cougar lead. The Pirates pulled within one on a three-pointer by Lauren LaBonde on their next possession, but Columbia held on the down the stretch as they knocked down seven of 10 attempts at the free-throw line to put the game away.

The Lady Cougars finished the game at 56 percent (27 of 48) from the field, led by Washington with 18 points. Ashley Fisher added 14 of Columbia's 32 points off the bench to go along with 13 points apiece from Heather English and Petrolina Chilaka. Sophomore Corri Hamilton rounded out the Lady Cougars in double figures with 10 points and a game-high eight rebounds. Park's Channell Mackey led all scorers with 31 points.

Columbia will continue AMC play when they return home to host Lyon (Ark.) College on Saturday, January 4^th. Tip-off is set for 2:00 pm at the Arena of Southwell Complex.