Columbia Mo. – The Cougar men's basketball team came out on top in a battle of NAIA Top-25 teams this afternoon, defeating 24^th-ranked Culver-Stockton College 89-67 in day two of the 2014 Hampton Inn Classic. Columbia, the NAIA's No. 7 ranked team, improves to 9-0 on the year with the win.

The Cougars and Wildcats battled back and forth through the first seven minutes of the opening half as Columbia trailed 10-9 at the 13:30 min mark. Back-to-back three-pointers by Nic Reynolds and Jackson Dubinski would help the Cougars use a 10-2 run to take the 19-12 lead with less than 12 minutes to play. Culver-Stockton would battle back and regain the lead at 34-33 with just over five minutes remaining in the frame. The Cougars used a 10-0 run from there to grab a 43-34 advantage into the halftime break after Reynolds hit a pair of three-pointers with less than two minutes left to play. Columbia shot 39 percent from the field and from behind the arc led by Reynolds with 14 points.

Columbia continued to dominate on into the second half and maintained a double digit lead over the final 16:55 of regulation. Columbia led by as many as 24 over the remainder of regulation as they cruised to their ninth consecutive win. The Cougars shot 55 percent in the final period to finish at 46 percent on the night, led by with a game-high 16 points from Malik Ray. Four more Cougars ended in double digits including Reynolds with a season-high 14 points. Zach Rockers posted 12 points while Jeremy Nolen and Jobe Dillard added 11 points apiece. Nolen pulled down a team-high eight rebounds while Jackson Dubinski gave out a game-high five assists

Following the final contest of the evening, a five-member all-classic team, as well as a most valuable player for the men, was recognized. Members of the men's squad include, from Missouri Baptist, Chris Buzzell. From Avila University, Sedrick Johnson as well as Jojuan Graham from Culver-Stockton College were recognized. From Columbia College, Ray and Rockers were named to the all-classic squad and Dillard earned most valuable player accolades.

Columbia will return to action on Thursday, December 4^th when they travel to American Midwest Conference (AMC) foe Lyon College. Game time is scheduled for 7:30 pm in Batesville, Ark.