Box Score
Columbia, Mo. – Tonight the seventh ranked Columbia College men's basketball team was back in action when they took on Culver-Stockton (Mo.) College in their first game of the 2017 Thanksgiving Classic Presented by Hampton Inn. The Cougars, who defeated the Wildcats by a final score of 104-71 earlier this season, were able to improve to 7-0 on the year with a 92-73 victory.
In the first half of the game, the Cougars came out and took a quick 11-6 lead forcing the Wildcats to call an early timeout. Culver-Stockton battled back as the half progressed and were able to cut the Cougars lead to one with 11 minutes remaining in the period. Both sides exchanged points over the next few minutes of the game but the Wildcats were able to use an 8-3 run to take a 30-25 lead with just over six minutes to play in the half. The Cougars responded with an 8-3 run of their own to tie the game at 33 before outscoring the Wildcats 5-4 to end the half and take a 38-37 lead into the locker room. Jackson Dubinski led all scorers with 20 points in the half.
Columbia College came out in the second half and forced the Wildcats to turn the ball over on their first possession before picking up a quick bucket from Nathan Biggs to extend their lead to three. However, Culver-Stockton did not let the Cougars get too far ahead as they answered with an 8-2 run to take a three point lead with 17 minutes remaining in the contest. The game remained close for the next few minutes but with the score tied at 52 the Cougars were able to go on a 15-0 run midway through the half to take a 67-52 lead. The Wildcats were able to cut Columbia's lead back down to 10 late in the game but that was as close as they would get as the Cougars held them off down the stretch to remain undefeated on the season.
Columbia College was led by Jackson Dubinksi who matched his career high with a team best 24 points and three assists in the contest. In addition to Dubinski, Preston Whitfield and Nathan Biggs both finished with 19 points while Whitfield and Lucky Ogbomo each brought down a team high eight rebounds to round out the top performers for the Cougars.
Columbia College is back in action tomorrow, November 25th when they take on the Peru State (Neb.) University Bobcats in their final game of the 2017 Thanksgiving Classic Presented by Hampton Inn. The game is set to start at 3 p.m. in the Southwell Athletic Complex.
