Columbia, Mo. - The 20^th-ranked the Cougar women basketball team earned a 69-57 victory over Bethel College in their first game of the 2014 Cougars vs. Cancer Classic, presented by Cost Cutters. Columbia improves to 2-0 on the year with the win.

After a defensive battle in the first half, the Cougars were able to gain some separation after Senior Ashley Fisher sunk two consecutive threes to make the score 17-10.  The Threshers were unable to gain a lead despite tying the score three different times. Columbia took a 23-18 advantage into the locker room. Both teams struggled offensively in the first frame with the Cougars shooting just 22 percent from the field and Bethel just 19 percent. Fisher led the way with six points and three blocks in the first half.

Columbia would eventually find their groove offensively in the second half after starting with a 5-0 run to give the Cougars their first double digit lead over Bethel. They led by doubles digits throughout the second half and stretched their lead out to 14 with a little over six minutes to play on their way to the convincing victory.

The Cougars had a tough night from in the field, shooting just 35 percent. However they made up for it from the charity stripe, draining 22 of their 29 attempts for 76 percent.

Aqua Corpening led three Cougars in double figures with a game-high 14 points to go along with 13 points from Corri Hamilton and 10 from Fisher. Corpening dished out a game high six assists to lead Columbia while Kayla Washington ended the night with a game high nine rebounds.

Action continues tomorrow in the Cougars vs. Cancer Classic presented by Cost Cutters. Bethel will face William Woods University at 2 p.m. in women's action. Concordia Seminary will face William Woods University at 4 p.m. in men's action. The Cougar women will take on Cumberlands at 6 p.m. and the Cougar men will face Graceland at 8 p.m.