Columbia, Mo. – The Cougar men's basketball team won their seventh straight game this evening, defeating non-conference opponent Robert Morris University by a score of 85-75 on the first day of the Hampton Inn Thanksgiving Classic. Columbia, ranked 16^th in the Preseason NAIA Top 25 Poll, improves to 7-0 on the year with the win. The Eagles, who are ranked No. 21 in the NAIA DII Preseason Poll, falls to 5-2 on the season and had their current four game winning streak snapped with the loss.

The Cougars trailed 6-3 early, but a 14-2 run would allow the squad to grab a 17-8 lead. The Eagles responded, scoring five straight points to cut the deficit to four, but that would be the closest the visitors would come as Columbia would lead by as many as 14 points and carry a 42-34 advantage into the halftime break.

Columbia shot 50 percent in the first half behind 11 points from Malik Ray while limiting the Eagles to 33 percent shooting. The Cougars also outrebounded Robert Morris 28-17 with Zach Rockers pulling down 10 rebounds of his own in the half.  

The Cougars continued to lead the Eagles and extended their advantage to 15 points midway through the half at 67-52 with the help of a 12-3 run. The Eagles hung around and used a run of their own to pull within nine, making the score 69-60, but wouldn't get any closer as the Cougars pushed their lead back out to double-digits and held the visitors over the next seven minutes.

Columbia finished shooting 51 percent from the field behind a team-high 16 points from Ray and Nic Reynolds. Rockers posted his third double-double of the season with 13 points and a career-high 14 rebounds while Ray also posted double digit rebounds with a career high 13 to help the Cougars finish with a 47-38 advantage on the glass. Chantel Stanciel had 11 points while Jackson Dubinski handed out four assists.

In addition to his 11 points tonight, Stanciel also recorded his 100^th career win joining the Columbia College Century Club. During his four years he has helped the Cougars to a 100-11 record.

Columbia will wrap up the Hampton Inn Classic tomorrow afternoon with a 3:00 p.m. matchup against Avila University. The contest will follow the 1:00 p.m. game between Robert Morris University and Missouri Baptist. Both games will be played at the Arena of Southwell Complex.