Box Score Columbia, Mo. - The Columbia College women's basketball team closed out the 2015 Cougars vs. Cancer Classic with an 80-67 victory over Brescia University on Saturday night to go 2-0 in the tournament. Columbia improves to 2-0 on the season with the win while the Bearcats fall to 1-2 on the year.

The Bearcats scored first, taking a 2-0 lead, but a three by Caprese Marshall would spark a 5-0 run to put the Cougars ahead 6-2. Brescia fought to tie the score at eight, but seven straight points by the Cougars gave them the lead for good. Brescias' Shelbi Samsil hit a three to pull the squad within four, but Hannah Sutton made a three of her own extending the Cougar lead back out to seven, and led 22-16 after 10 minutes of play.

Columbia continued to dominate into the second quarter eventually pushing their advantage to 17 points and carried the 43-28 advantage into the halftime break. Columbia shot 44 percent and held the visiting team to a 36 percent clip. The Cougars also held a 32-12 advantage on the boards in the half.

The Cougars maintained their double-digit lead until a 9-2 run by the Bearcats pulled the team within seven at 53-46. A three pointer by freshman guard Ashlee Marlatt and a bucket by Petrolina Chilaka made the score 58-46, but Brescia used seven straight points to end the third quarter, including a three at the buzzer, to cut the deficit to six.
Columbia began the fourth quarter on a 15-2 run to take a 74-55 lead and never looked back from there as the Cougars pulled away with the 80-67 win over the Bearcats.

Four Cougars finished the game in double digits including Corri Hamilton who ended with her second double-double of the weekend with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Marlatt contributed 15 points for Columbia while Morgan Brandt finished with her first career double-double, tallying 12 points and 11 rebounds. Marshall ended the night with 10 points of her own and Kei'yana Pearson led all players with five assists.

Columbia owned a 59-36 rebounding advantage and shot 39 percent from the field compared to 40 percent for the Bearcats.

Following the final contest of the evening, a five-member all-classic team, as well as a most valuable player for the women, was recognized. Members of the women's squad include, from William Woods, Nia Lateju and Kennedy Volkart. From Columbia College, Kei'yana Pearson was recognized as well as Julie Whitfill from Brescia University. From McPherson College, Bailey Brown was named to the all-classic squad and Corri Hamilton from Columbia College earned most valuable player accolades.

The Cougars will return to action, Friday, November 13^th when they host Georgetown College. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. in the Arena of Southwell Complex.