Springfield, Ill. - The 20^th-ranked Columbia men's basketball team picked up a 69-49 road victory over conference foe Benedictine University-Springfield on Saturday afternoon. With the win, the Cougars improve to 16-3 overall and 9-2 in the American Midwest Conference (AMC).

The Cougars used a 9-2 run towards the end of the first half as they gained separation on their way to a 31-21 halftime lead. Columbia hit 13 of 37 (35 percent) attempts from the field in the half while the Trojans shot 36 percent from the floor and outrebounded the Cougars 22-19. Zach Rockers led Columbia at the half with 12 points and four rebounds. Columbia would maintain the advantage over the Bulldogs throughout the entire second half, and pushed their lead to 20 as the Cougars walked away with their seventh straight victory.

Columbia hit 28 of 67 attempts (42 percent) from the field on the night and had three players in double figures, led by a career high 24 points from Tanner Sutton. Rockers ended the night with 21 points and Jeremy Nolen chipped in 12 points. Rockers also added a game-high eight rebounds while Chantel Stanciel handed out game high four assists.

The Cougars will return home and host Hannibal-LaGrange University on Thursday, January 22^nd. The game will be part of the Suits vs. Sneakers event to help support Coaches vs Cancer. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 pm at the Arena of Southwell Complex.