Columbia, Mo. – The 13^th ranked Columbia College women's basketball team defeated American Midwest Conference (AMC) opponent Missouri Baptist University today by a score of 88-58 to improve to 12-2 on the season and 6-2 versus conference foes. The Spartans fall to 3-8 and 2-5.

The Cougars took control of the contest early and never trailed, rushing out to a six-point advantage and building on it as the game continued. At the intermission Columbia led by 15 after shooting 41 percent from the field and draining eight of their 18 attempts from beyond the arc. The Cougars also connected on eight of their ten attempts from the charity stripe while the Spartans were only able to make one of their seven tries.

Both teams came out of the locker rooms in a slump resulting in just 27 combined points in the third quarter. Eight turnovers from the Cougars held them from extending their lead by as much as they had hoped but they were able to get back on track in the final ten minutes and finished the game with 16 three's and an 89 percent shooting percentage from the free-throw line.

11 different Cougars scored in the contest and four finished in double figures led by Ashlee Marlatt with 15 points, scoring all her points from beyond the arc. Freshman Raean Wieser ended with 13 points and six rebounds, Grey Hayes had 12 points and Mai Nienhueser had 10 points.

The Cougars are idle until next Thursday, January 5^th when they resume AMC play and travel to Henderson, Tennessee to take on top ranked Freed-Hardeman University.  Game time is set for 5:30 p.m. Check the women's basketball schedule page at columbiacougars.com to listen and watch the game live.