Box Score Columbia, Mo. - Facing the Hannibal-LaGrange University Lady Trojans for the third time this season, the 11^th-ranked Columbia women's basketball team came away with a 90-43 victory on Thursday night in the quarterfinals of the American Midwest Conference (AMC) Tournament. The Lady Cougars, the No. 2 seed in the tournament after posting a 20-2 mark in league play during the regular season, improve to 25-6 overall with the win.

Columbia led for the majority of the first half, but the Trojans remained within striking distance before an 18-0 run by the Lady Cougars put them up 43-20 at the 2:02 mark. Petrolina Chilaka had 10 points during the run as Columbia shot 46 percent from the field for a 47-25 halftime advantage. Laurel Wichmann also added 10 points off the bench in the period and Janairrika Bland led all scorers with 12 points at the break.

The Lady Cougars began the second half on a 17-4 run to stretch their lead out to 35 with 11:56 to play. Columbia would shoot 60 percent from the floor over the final period as ten different Lady Cougars scored on the night. Bland led the way with a game-high 18 points to go along with 14 points each from Wichmann and Ashley Fisher.

Members of the AMC All-Academic Team were recognized prior to the start of Wednesday's contest. Representatives from the Lady Cougars included Petrolina Chilaka, Ashley Fisher, Corri Hamilton, and Tierney Seifert.

Columbia will resume play on Friday, March 7^th when they host No. 3 seed and 18th-ranked Lyon College in the tournament semifinals with a berth in the AMC Championship game on the line. The Lady Cougars won both meetings with Lyon during the regular season, including an 86-71 home victory back on January 4^th. Tip-off for Friday's game is set for 7:00 pm at the Arena of Southwell Complex.