Box Score Parkville, Mo. – The 6^th-ranked Columbia College women's basketball team picked up a road victory over American Midwest Conference (AMC) foe Park University by a score of 69-41 on Thursday evening at Breckon Sports Center. With the win the Cougars improve to 17-0 on the season and 11-0 in conference play while the Pirates fall to 5-8 overall and 5-6 in league play.

Columbia, along with No. 17 University of Pikeville (Ky.), are the only remaining unbeaten teams in NAIA Division I Women's Basketball. Across all divisions and genders of NAIA basketball only Columbia, Pikeville and Southern Oregon (Division II Women's Basketball) have unblemished records. Columbia and Pikeville also lead the NAIA in wins with 17 each.

The Cougars led 15-12 at the end of the first quarter and carried a 24-20 advantage into the halftime break after shooting just 32 percent from the field. The Pirates also struggled offensively and were held to a 31 percent clip in the half. Corri Hamilton led all players with 11 first half points while the Pirates were led by Latice Butler with eight points.  

A bucket and two free throws by Park tied the game at 24 to begin the third quarter, but the Cougars would use a 7-2 run to finally gain a little separation, making the score 34-28. The Pirates hung around, cutting the deficit to four three different times, but Columbia reeled off a 7-0 run, capped off by a three pointer by Hamilton, to stretch their lead 11 and held a 47-37 advantage at the end of the third quarter.

The Cougars picked up momentum in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Pirates 22-4 in the final 10 minutes to capture the 69-41 victory.

Columbia finished shooting 38 percent (24/63) from the floor and just 15 percent (3/20) from beyond the arc. Hamilton led all players with 22 points and chipped in nine rebounds while Petrolina Chilaka posted 13 points and nine rebounds. Kei'yana Pearson also finished in double figures with 10 points and Caprese Marshall led the Cougars with three assists.

The Pirates were held to 29 percent shooting from the field and also committing 28 turnovers. Butler led Park with 14 points and 12 rebounds.  

The Cougars return to action Saturday, January 16^th when they host (RV) William Woods University in the AMC Game of the Week. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Bob Burchard Court in Southwell Complex.