Columbia, Mo. – Tonight the sixth ranked Columbia College men's basketball team kicked off their season against the Evangel University Crusaders in the Cougars vs. Cancer Tip-Off Classic presented by Cost Cutters. Columbia, coming off of a 27-5 season last year, reigning AMC Regular-Season Champions, and a trip to the National Tournament, were looking to continue the tradition of Cougar success. The Cougars defeated the Crusaders by a final score of 75-68 to start the season 1-0.
Columbia started off the season with a bang as the ball was tapped to Desmond Funches off the tip, who then immediately was able to flick the ball to Braden Wendal who started the Cougar season off with a dunk that got the crowd on their feet. Next possession, Adam Mennemeyer picked up right where he left off last season, knocking down his first three of the year. Columbia went on a 10-0 run before the Crusaders were able to find a bucket. The Cougars were pushing the pace from the get-go with some quick ball movement. About seven minutes into play, Columbia led 17-6 as Evangel called the first timeout of the game. With 10 minutes remaining before the half, the Crusaders had begun to wake up a bit, but the Cougars still held a 21-12 lead. Columbia was showing their ability to score strong in the paint as 16 of their 26 points so far were from inside. Evangel would trail throughout the half, though they kept themselves in the game. With four minutes before the break, Columbia led 31-23. The Crusaders went on 5-0 run cutting the score 31-28, causing a late first half timeout from the Cougars. Evangel was able to capitalize off of a Columbia turnover to take the lead 32-31 with 2:30 until half. Columbia tied it back up with a free throw as the half was coming to a close. At halftime the game was knotted at 32. The Cougars shot 38 percent from the field in the first half. Funches, Justin Shaw, and Thibault Benabid each had five points apiece.
To start the second half, Evangel took the quick two point lead, but Mennemeyer was quick to answer back with a three. Over the first five minutes the game was kept close as Columbia led 45-40. As the half progressed, each team was struggling to get the ball in the hoop as the score was 47-44, Cougars ahead. The Crusaders cut the score to one and immediately called timeout with 10 to play in the game. Columbia was trailing 48-47 with eight to play as Mennemeyer went to the line to shoot three free throws. He sunk all three giving the Cougars a two point advantage. A stop and pop from Steven Holloway and a big three from Mennemeyer put the score at 55-49 with under seven on the clock. The game proved to be very physical as neither team was getting anything easy. As the Cougars led 61-52, they worked the ball around, showing patience on the offensive end. Evangel called another timeout with 3:40 remaining. Columbia was flustering the Crusaders on the defensive end as they caused a turnover to regain possession as the game neared a close. With under two to play, Evangel trailed by 11, calling another timeout as they looked for a late push. The Crusaders were forced to foul in the final minute and half. Columbia was able to close out the game 75-68, posting win number one of the season. The Cougars finished shooting 42 percent from the field.
The Cougars were led by Adam Mennemeyer who tallied 15 points and nine rebounds, while shooting 6-7 from the charity stripe. Justin Shaw was also in double digits as he recorded 14 points. Darrick Ellis had nine points and grabbed seven rebounds, Thibault Benabid had nine points and five rebounds, while Desmond Funches also had nine points, three rebounds, and four assists on the night.
The Cougars are back in action tomorrow, November 3rd, when they take on Grand View University in their final game of the Cougars vs. Cancer Tip-Off Classic presented by Cost Cutters. The game is set to begin at 7 p.m.
