Box Score Kansas City, Mo. - The 4^th-ranked Cougar men's basketball team opened the 2014 Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship in impressive fashion with an 81-57 first round victory over Belhaven (Miss.) University on Thursday night. With the win, Columbia improves to 32-2 on the season and has won 16 straight games dating back to January 23^rd.

The Cougars controlled the contest from the opening tip, scoring the game's first six points and building a double-digit lead at 24-13 midway through the first half. Columbia continued to impose their will from there as they outscored the Blazers 25-11 over the remainder of the period for a 49-24 halftime advantage. The Cougars connected on 21 of their 37 attempts (57 percent) from the field in the half, while holding Belhaven to 9 of 33 (27 percent) from the floor. Devin Griffin and Derrick Dilworth both reached double figures in the opening period and led Columbia with 14 and 10 points, respectively.

The Cougars stretched their lead out 33 during the second half as they cruised to the lopsided victory in their first ever meeting with the Blazers. Columbia dominated all aspects of the game, shooting 52 percent and outrebounding Belhaven 52-32, led by Patric Massey's double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds. Jeremy Nolen finished had 15 points to lead four Cougars in double figures, while Griffin and Dilworth each finished with 14.

The Blazers shot 33 percent from the field and were led by Curt Hall with 15 points.

Columbia will resume play in the national championship tournament tomorrow night vs. MidAmerica Nazarene, who defeated LSU-Shreveport in Thursday night's earlier game. Tip-off for tomorrow night's game is scheduled for 8:00 pm at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo.