Columbia, Mo. - The Lady Cougar basketball team moved up one spot to No. 14 in Tuesday's latest edition of the NAIA Women's Basketball Top 25 Poll. Vanguard University (17-0) and American Midwest Conference newcomer Freed-Hardeman University (21-0), the NAIA's last two remaining unbeaten teams, held down the No. 1 and 2 rankings respectively for the seventh consecutive week. Westminster (Utah), Oklahoma Baptist, and Campbellsville (Ky.) rounded out the top five in the poll.

Columbia (16-5, 12-1) remained in second place in the AMC standings behind Freed-Hardeman with a pair of impressive league victories on the week. The Lady Cougars dominated conference rival William Woods 95-56 on Thursday night before defeating Harris-Stowe by a score of 80-65 on Saturday afternoon. Senior Heather English averaged 18.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 5.0 assists in the two wins and was named the American Midwest Conference Player of the Week on Monday. Sophomore transfer Janairrika Bland put together a strong week as well, averaging 20.5 points and 11.5 rebounds per game.

Columbia will look to extend their current four-game winning streak on Thursday, February 6^th when they host Park University (10-8, 8-4), who currently sits in fourth place in the AMC standings. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 pm at the Arena of Southwell Complex. The Lady Cougars will wrap up the week on Saturday, February 8^th at conference foe Lyon College (14-6, 10-2).