Columbia, Mo. – After falling to the Panthers from Philander Smith College on December 19^th in the two school's first meeting ever, the 5^th-ranked Columbia College Cougars rebounded with a 97-90 home win over the visiting team to move their record to 13-1 on the season. The Panthers fall to 7-7 on the year with the loss.

With the score tied at 29, the Panthers used a 6-0 run to gain separation, but the Cougars responded with a run of their own to pull back within one at 35-34. The Panthers extended their advantage back out to six with a 7-2 run, however the Cougars didn't back down and a three by Jackson Dubinski at the 3:27 mark made it a one point game again at 44-43.

The Panthers outscored the Cougars 10-3 over the remainder of the half and would carry a 54-46 advantage into the halftime break. Columbia shot 45 percent from the field compared to 58 percent by the Panthers in the first half.

PSC maintained their lead to begin the second half until a 12-2 run by the Cougars, capped off by a Jesse Brown bucket, gave Columbia a 67-66 advantage at the 13:03 mark. The visitors quickly regained their lead with an 8-2 run, but the Cougars came clawing back and with Columbia trailing 77-74, Zach Rockers hit a three to tie the score at 77. After trading points, back-to-back threes by Chantel Stanciel and Dubinski at the 7:10 minute mark helped Columbia gain separation at 87-79 and they would never trail again over the remainder of the game.

Columbia finished shooting 48 percent from the field while the Panthers shot 51 percent. The Cougars also shot 87 percent (13/15) from the charity stripe while PSC shot 80 percent (11/15). Four Cougars finished in double-digit points including a team high 22 points from Nic Reynolds. Rockers had 18 points to go along with six rebounds while Dubinski and Malik Ray finished with 10 points apiece. Dubinski also chipped in a game-high five assists.
PSC was led by Ronald March with 29 points and seven rebounds.

Prior to today's game, Head Basketball Coach Bob Burchard was recognized for his 700^th career win back on December 5^th in a 98-33 victory over St. Louis College of Pharmacy. Now in his 28^th season leading the Cougars, Burchard has a record of 703 wins against just 237 losses.  Columbia has averaged more than 25 victories a season under his guidance and has appeared at the NAIA National Championships 19 times.

The Cougars return to the court on Saturday, January 2^nd when they travel to American Midwest Conference (AMC) foe Missouri Baptist University. Game time is set for 4:00 p.m. in St. Louis, Mo.