Parkville, Mo. – Columbia College led by double-digits at the halftime break, but American Midwest Conference (AMC) foe, Park University, pulled away with the 65-57 victory after sinking ten free throws in the final two minutes. Columbia, ranked No. 9 in Tuesday's latest release of the NAIA Top 25 Poll, falls to 22-5 overall and 15-4 in conference play with the loss. The Pirates improve to 12-10 on the year and 11-7 in league play.

The Cougars led by nine early in the half, as Jobe Dillard knocked down a three-pointer at the 14:43 mark to make it 15-8. Park used an 8-0 run to pull within one, with 10:10 left in the half, but Columbia used an 11-1 run over the next two minutes, capped off by a three from Jackson Dubinski, and pushed the score to 26-15. Zach Rockers extended Columbia's lead to 13 after a three-pointer, one of seven for the Cougars in the first half, with 4:00 remaining. Columbia held on to the 13-point advantage at the halftime break.

The two teams traded baskets to begin the second half. The Pirates scored 15 unanswered points from there to tie the game at 42 with 12:10 left on the clock. Nic Reynolds broke up the run after he knocked down another Cougar three to go ahead 45-42. Parks' Freddie Manyawu answered back, completing the three-point play to tie the game at 45 with 10:40 left to play. Park took their first lead since early in the first half as Manyawu hit a three to put the Pirates up 48-47. Over the next four minutes the teams traded leads and with 6:25 left on the clock, the score was tied at 50. Columbia fouled two different times as the Pirates used the line to their advantage, and went up 53-50, but Jobe Dillard pulled Columbia back within one as he sank a pair of free throws with 2:40 to go. Park answered with a jumper to put them back up 55-52, and would make ten free throws in the final two minutes as they pulled away with their first win over the Cougars since the 2010-11 season.

The Cougars shot 34 percent from the field compared to Park who shot 37 percent on the night. Columbia threw a season-high 30 fouls, as the Pirates shot 73 percent from the line, (29-40).

Rockers posted a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Tanner Sutton finished in double-digits as well with 11 points to go along with three rebounds and one assist.

The Columbia College Cougars climbed three spots to No. 9 in the latest NAIA Division I Men's Basketball Coaches Poll released on Tuesday by the national office.

For the first time in school history, Talladega (Ala.) earns the No. 1 position with seven first place votes and 248 points. With two first-place votes and 241 points, No. 2 Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) slides up one spot. Holding a 3-game lead in the American Midwest Conference (AMC) race. No. 3 Pikeville (Ky.) checks in with 234 total points and the remaining first-place nod while Cal State San Marcos and Hope International round out the top five tied in the four spot.

The Cougars will travel to St. Louis, Mo. on Saturday, February 21^st to take on Missouri Baptist University for their next matchup. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.