Box Score Columbia, Mo. – The Columbia Cougars made today one to remember in the Arena of Southwell Complex as they defeated Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) University in a top-ten match-up to possibly determine the top seed in the postseason conference tournament. The seventh-ranked Cougars defeated the fifth-ranked Lions 93-82 to improve to 26-2 on the season and 17-1 in American Midwest Conference play. Freed-Hardeman moves to 24-3 on the season and 17-1 versus league foes.

Columbia jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead to open the contest but just couldn't hang on to the momentum as the visiting Lions took a lead with just under 15 minutes left in the first half and held onto it until late in the second half. For much of the first frame it seemed like Freed-Hardeman just couldn't miss, shooting 66 percent from the field compared to Columbia's 44 percent shooting. The Lions extended their lead to 17 at one point and had a 53-44 advantage at the break.

The Cougars slowly chipped away at the Lion lead in the second half and finally tied up the contest with just over six minutes to go. After four straight baskets by the Cougars, two apiece from Malik Ray and Chantel Stanciel, Columbia never looked back. A pair of free-throws on the next possession brought Freed-Hardeman within four points but that was as close as they were able to get as Columbia connected on seven of their eight attempts from the charity stripe in the final minute to lock up the win.

The Cougars shot 41 attempts from the free-throw line in the contest compared to 33 from Freed-Hardeman. They also held the Lions to 38 percent from the field in the second half and forced 12 turnovers in the contest, resulting in 12 Cougar points. Freed-Hardeman did not make a single one of their 14 attempts from beyond the arc in the second frame.

Devin Griffin led all scorers with 21 points. Derrick Dilworth had 18 points and Chantel Stanciel and Tanner Sutton chipped in 13 apiece. Stanciel also dished out a game high seven assists. Jeremy Nolen logged nine rebounds and four blocks in the contest.

Reginald Gilmore had 18 points for the Lions to lead five players in double figures.

The Cougars head into their final week of regular season play next week with two games slated to play. Columbia heads to Springfield, Ill. to take on Benedictine University-Springfield on Thursday, February 27^th at 7:30 p.m. Columbia defeated the Bulldogs on January 23^rd by a score of 78-57. The Cougars return home on Saturday, March 1^st for their final regular season home game when they will take on Missouri Baptist University at 4 p.m. Should both Columbia and Freed-Hardeman win their two remaining contests next week, the Lions and Cougars will be regular season co-champions, however the Cougars would lock-up the top seed in the postseason tournament.