Belleville, Ill. – The 3^rd-ranked Columbia College men's basketball team dropped a close contest this evening to American Midwest Conference (AMC) foe Lindenwood University-Belleville by a score of 69-68 on the road. With the loss, the Cougars fall to 21-3 on the season and 14-2 in league play while Lindenwood-Belleville improves to 11-12 and 8-8 with the win.

After a tightly contested beginning, the Cougars used a 5-0 run to gain their largest lead of the half at 20-15. Columbia maintained a five point lead over the next five minutes until the Lynx used five straight points to tie the game at 24. After trading baskets, Dwaun Stewart drained a three-pointer to put Columbia up 29-26, however the Lynx battled back to regain the lead at 34-29 with a 8-0 run, their largest lead of the half. Zach Rockers and Nic Reynolds both hit threes from there to give Columbia a 35-34 lead heading into the halftime break.

The Cougars held their lead to begin the second half until a three pointer by Nate Sims tied the game back up at 43. Jackson Dubinski came up big with a three at the 12:49 minute mark, but Sims responded with a three of his own to knot the score back up at 46. The Cougars quickly opened up a five point lead at 51-46 with two made free throws by Reynolds and another three by Dubinski, but the Lynx didn't back down easy and tied the game at 51. After trading points, Chantel Stanciel hit a three to help the Cougars outscore the Lynx 6-1 over the next three minutes to go ahead 58-53. Lindenwood-Belleville pulled within a basket, three different times before eventually taking their first lead of the half at 63-62 on a three pointer by Sean McGee and went ahead 65-62 on a layup by ShunQuez Stephens at the 2:43 minute mark. Stanciel drove to the basket and made two layups on the next two possessions to give Columbia the one point lead at 67-66 with 42.1 seconds left to play, but Joshua Doughty responded with a basket to help the Lynx go up 68-67.

With the Cougars in possession of the ball and the clock winding down, Columbia committed a critical foul on the rebound allowing the Lynx to make 1-of-2 free throws, to go ahead it 69-67. After rushing up the court, Columbia drew a foul, but only made 1-of-2 allowing the Lynx to pull away with the 69-68 upset win.

The Cougars finished shooting 43 percent from the field while the Lynx shot 50 percent. Stanciel led Columbia with 17 points, six rebounds and two assists while Reynolds chipped in 10 points.

The Lynx were led by Stephens with 22 points and 14 rebounds.

The Cougars return home to host Hannibal-LaGrange University on Saturday, February 6^th. Game time is set for 4:00 p.m. on Bob Burchard Court in Southwell Complex.