Parkville, Mo. – Tonight Columbia College women's basketball team was back in action when they traveled to Parkville, Missouri to face the Park University Pirates in an AMC matchup. Prior to the game the NAIA national office announced the second NAIA Division I Women's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 poll of the 2017-18 season. The Cougars, who ranked 16^th in the previous poll, dropped two spots to number 18 in the current poll. The Cougars defeated the Pirates by a final score of 57-33 and improved to 10-5 on the season and 8-1 in conference play.

Columbia came out of the gates aggressive as they were able to get to the line three times in the first two minutes of the game, scoring five of their first seven points off of free throws. The Cougars were playing solid defense as they held the Pirates to just five points in the first quarter and caused 10 turnovers. After the first, Columbia led 13-5.

The Cougars carried their intensity into the second quarter as they went on an 11-4 run to lead 24-9 with under five minutes remaining in the half. Columbia remained in control of the half as they headed into the locker room leading 28-10. The Cougars shot 77 percent from the free throw line, going 10-13.

To start the third quarter the Pirates went on a 5-0 run, but the Cougars quickly countered back using their own 5-0 run as they held the lead 33-16 with just over six minutes left in the third. The Pirates struggled to cut into the Cougar's lead as Columbia led 45-25 heading into the final quarter. In the final quarter of play the Pirates tried to pressure the Cougars looking to shake them up a bit, but Columbia was able to fend them off and maintain their lead throughout the quarter. The Cougars secured their first victory of the New Year by a final score of 57-33.

Jordan Alford led the way as she recorded a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. In addition, Raegan Wieser (12), Sarah Walters (11), and Geena Stephens (11) all tallied double digit points on the night.

Columbia College is back in action on Thursday, January 4^th when they host the 13^th ranked Lyon (Ark.) College Scots in an AMC matchup. The game is set to tip-off at 5:30 p.m.