Columbia, Mo. - The Cougar men's basketball team won their seventh straight game to open the 2014-15 season tonight, defeating non-conference opponent Missouri Valley College by a score of 56-52. Columbia, ranked 7^th in the Preseason NAIA Top 25 Poll, improves to 7-0 on the year with the win while the Vikings fall to 4-4 on the season.

The two squads traded baskets in the opening five minutes of play, but Columbia would eventually gain some separation using a 10-0 run after back-to-back three-pointers from Malik Ray and Zach Rockers to give the Cougars their largest lead of the game at 18-10. The Vikings would tie the game at 22-22 after using a 12-4 run, but Columbia would outscore Missouri Valley 7-3 over the next four minutes to take the 29-25 advantage into the halftime period. The Cougars hit 10 of 25 attempts (40 percent) from the field in the opening period, led by Travis Vogt with eight points.

The Vikings would score two consecutive baskets to start the second half to tie the game 29-29. There were six ties and six different lead changes throughout the final twenty minutes of play. With the score tied 46-46, the Vikings scored five straight points for a 51-46 advantage. With 5:40 remaining Columbia answered with seven straight points for a 53-51 lead, capped off by a three-pointer by Rockers with 47 seconds to play. Missouri Valley would cut the lead to 53-52, but the Cougars held on down the stretch with the help with a late dunk by John Meyer and a free throw by Chantel Stanciel for a four point win.  

The Cougars hit 20 of 52 attempts (39 percent) from the field on the night and had three players in double figures, led by 11 points and a season high three assists from Stanciel. Vogt and Rockers finished with 10 points apiece, while Ray pulled down a season high nine rebounds. Raviel Burton led all scorers with 27 points and 12 rebounds for the Vikings, who shot 35 percent (21 of 60) on the night.

The Cougars will return home to host the 2014 Hampton Inn Classic on Friday, November 28^th and Saturday, November 29^th. Columbia will take on Avila University at 8:00 p.m. on Friday night, followed by a 3:00 p.m. matchup with Culver Stockton College on Saturday afternoon. All games will be played at the Arena of Southwell Complex in Columbia.