Columbia, Mo. – The 6^th-ranked Columbia College women's basketball team defeated American Midwest Conference (AMC) opponent (RV) William Woods University by a score of 77-54 Saturday afternoon in the AMC Game of the Week to claim their 18^th straight victory. The Cougars improve to 18-0 overall and 12-0 in conference play with the win while the Owls fall to 13-5 on the season and 8-4 in league play with the loss.

With the score tied at six, the Cougars used a 7-0 run to gain separation, and led 15-9 after one quarter of play. The Owls eventually tied the game at 17 and pulled ahead 19-17 with a 10-0 run at the 5:43 minute mark. The Cougars found their rhythm from there as they reeled off a 12-0 run and would carry a 29-22 advantage into the halftime break. Columbia shot 33 percent in the half while limiting the Owls to 28 percent shooting. ­

The Cougars came out hot to begin the third quarter as they extended their lead to 18, outscoring the Owls 17-6, to go ahead 46-28. Back-to-back threes by WWU pulled the visitors within 11, however, the Cougars stretched their lead back out with a 9-0 run and led 55-40 at the end of the quarter.

Columbia took total control in the last quarter and led by as many as 25 on their way to victory.

The Cougars finished shooting 44 percent from the field while the Owls were limited to 33 percent shooting. Corri Hamilton matched a season-high with 23 points to lead all players and pulled down nine rebounds. Ashlee Marlatt ended with 17 points, five rebounds and three assists while Petrolina Chilaka chipped in 15 points. Kei'yana Pearson also finished in double-figures with 13 points and dished out three assists while Martha Imoniana had nine rebounds. The Cougars converted 19 Owl turnovers into 25 points and scored 11 second chance points. WWU was led by Nia Lateju Kennedy Volkart with 12 points apiece. Lateju also had a game-high 11 rebounds.

With today's total, Hamilton surpassed her 1000^th career point and now has 1,004 total points.

The Cougars return to action, Thursday January 21^st when they travel to Conway, Ark. to take on conference foe Central Baptist College. Columbia beat the Must­­­angs back on November 19^th by a score of 78-42 at home. Game time is slated for 5:30 p.m. at A.R. Reddin Fieldhouse.