Fayette, Mo. – The Cougar women's basketball team picked up a road victory over Central Methodist University by a score of 65-52 on Monday night to improve their overall record to 4-0.

With the Cougars leading 4-2, Central Methodist used a 9-0 run to go up 11-4 and led Columbia 15-9 after a quarter of play. The Cougars struggled offensively as they shot 27 percent from the field compared to 42 percent by the Eagles.

The Cougars scored nine straight points to begin the second period to regain the lead at 18-15. A 5-2 run by the Eagles tied the game at 20, but back-to-back threes by Hannah Sutton and Kei'yana Pearson allowed Columbia to take the lead for good as they carried a 28-24 advantage into the halftime break.

Columbia shot 39 percent in the half while holding CMU to a 36 percent shooting percentage. The Cougars also outrebounded the home team 19-13 in the half.

Columbia carried their momentum into the third quarter as they utilized an 8-2 run to extend their lead to ten points and didn't look back from there as they led by as many as 18 in the quarter. The Cougar defense held CMU to just nine points in the third quarter and led 51-33 with 30 minutes gone in the game.

CMU outscored Columbia 19-14 in the fourth quarter, but the damage was already done as the Cougars cruised to a 65-52 victory.

Both teams shot 38 percent on the night with Columbia outrebounding the Eagles 39 to 27. The Cougars were led by Corri Hamilton with 13 points. Petrolina Chilaka also ended in double figures with 10 points and Martha Imoniana led all players with 10 rebounds. Columbia dished out 13 assists led by Pearson with five.

Columbia will return to action this Thursday, November 19^th when they host American Midwest Conference (AMC) foe Central Baptist College at 5:30 p.m. As announced this morning, Columbia College will host the opening round men's soccer game and as a result, the women's basketball game on Saturday, November 21^st against Lyon College has been pushed up to 1:00 p.m. at the Arena of Southwell Complex.