Columbia, Mo. - The Cougar women's basketball team defeated American Midwest Conference (AMC) newcomer Central Baptist College 78-42 in their first meeting ever on Thursday night at the Arena of Southwell Complex to claim their 5^th straight victory of the season. Columbia improves to 5-0 overall and 1-0 in conference play with the win.

With the score tied at five, the Cougars used a 15-0 run to gain separation and led 20-7 at the completion of the first quarter. Freshman Ashlee Marlatt scored eight points during the run and recorded 11 points after 10 minutes of play. Columbia outshot CBC 22-5 in the second quarter to take a 42-12 advantage at the halftime break.

The Cougars shot 50 percent in the half while holding the Mustangs to 12 percent shooting and outrebounded the visitors 27-13.

Columbia continued to dominate in the third and fourth quarter and led by as many as 44 on their way to the blowout victory as all 13 Cougar players cracked the scoring column.

As a team, Columbia shot 40 percent while holding the Mustangs to a 23 percent clip. Marlatt led the balanced scoring effort with 17 on five-of-eight shooting from behind the arc. Corri Hamilton chipped in nine points and seven rebounds while Martha Imoniana and Sarah Walters posted eight points apiece. Imoniana led all players with nine rebounds and Kei'yana Pearson dished out five assists.

As announced this week, 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.