Columbia, Mo. - The Cougar women's basketball team earned a 59-48 victory over McPherson College in their first game of the season as part of the 2015 Cougars vs. Cancer Tip-Off Classic, presented by Cost Cutters. Columbia improves to 1-0 on the year with the win.

The Cougars raced out to a 10-4 lead, but a 8-2 run by the Bulldogs tied the game at 12. The teams traded points from there, but McPherson scored five straight points to take the 19-14 lead after the first quarter.

Columbia erased some of the deficit with a bucket by Petrolina Chilaka and a three by Kei'yana Pearson, however, Kristina Battle raced down the floor and drained a three of her own to extend their lead back out to 23-19. Columbia didn't back down and regained the lead with the help of a 6-0 run to go ahead 25-23, and would take the 26-25 advantage into the halftime break.

The game remained close throughout the third quarter until Chilaka broke free and scored eight points, including back-to-back three pointers to give the Cougars the 39-35 lead.

Columbia carried their momentum into the fourth quarter as they began with a 6-2 run and led 48-39 midway through the quarter. From there Chilaka scored five of the next eight points on a three and two free throws, giving the Cougars their largest lead of the game at 56-42. The Bulldogs were unable to overcome the deficit as Columbia captured the 59-48 victory.

The two teams were equal from the field, both scoring on 36 percent of their basket but the Cougars held the edge from the charity stripe, connecting on 67 percent of their attempts versus 50  percent by the Bulldogs.

Chilaka led all players with 20 points on three of six shooting from behind the arc. Senior Corri Hamilton finished with a double-double, scoring 18 points and pulling down 12 rebounds while Pearson dished out four assists.

Action continues tomorrow in the Cougars vs. Cancer Classic presented by Cost Cutters. The Cougars will take on Brescia University at 5 p.m. in the arena of Southwell Complex.