Men's Basketball | 2/18/2016 9:57:00 PM

Box Score Henderson, Tenn. – The 8^th-ranked Columbia College men's basketball team fell to No. 12 Freed-Hardeman University this evening by a score of 67-60 on the road. With the loss, the Cougars fall to 22-5 on the season and 15-4 in conference play. The Lions improve to 22-5 overall and 16-3 in league play with the win and also takes over the top spot in the AMC standings.

Chantel Stanciel scored a quick basket to begin the game, but that would be the only time the Cougars would lead in the half. Columbia kept things close throughout the half, but the Lions extended their lead to seven and would carry a 33-26 advantage into the halftime break.

The Cougars shot 34 percent while limiting the Lions to a 32 percent clip, however Freed-Hardeman outrebounded Columbia 26-17.

Columbia quickly erased the halftime deficit with a 6-0 run, but the Lions responded with a 10-2 run to make the score 43-34. The Cougars chipped away at the Lion lead and eventually tied the game at 46 before taking a 48-46 lead with a bucket by Jackson Dubinski at the 8:09 mark. Nic Reynolds drained a three, giving the Cougars their largest lead of the night at 51-46. Freed-Hardeman didn't back down from there as they used seven straight points to regain their lead at 53-51, but a bucket by Jobe Dillard tied the game back up at 53. The lead changed hands four different times from there, but with the Cougars trailing 57-56, the Lions used a 5-0 run to go ahead 62-56 with 37 seconds remaining in the game. The Lions outscored the Cougars 5-2 down the stretch on free throws to pull away with the 67-60 win.

The Cougars shot just 38 percent for the game while the Lions were held to a 34 percent clip. Columbia also shot poorly from beyond the arc, connecting on just 6-of-20 attempts and made 6-of-11 at the free throw line. Columbia was also outrebounded 45-31, allowing the Lions to score 14 second chance points. Reynolds led the Cougars with 18 points while Preston Whitfield chipped in nine points. Travis Vogt pulled down 10 rebounds and Stanciel handed out four assists.

Orlando Bass led all players with 19 points to go along with 11 rebounds. Austin Dempsey had 16 points and Isaiah Harrsion also recorded a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds.

The Cougars return to action on Saturday, February 20^th when they travel to Williams Baptist College for another AMC matchup. Game time is slated for 4:00 p.m. in Walnut Ridge, Ark.