Columbia, Mo. - Tonight the sixth ranked Columbia College men's basketball team was back in action when they played host to the Grand View (Iowa) University Vikings in the final game of the Cougars vs. Cancer Tip-Off Classic Presented by Cost Cutters. The Cougars were defeated by the Vikings by a final score of 74-67 to fall to 1-1 on the season.
Grand View came out in the first half and were able to score the first basket of the game over a minute into the contest. The Cougars quickly responded with a three pointer on the other end of the floor, and then knocked down another three on their next possession to take a 6-2 lead. The Vikings cut the lead to two on their next possession, and both sides exchanged baskets over the next few minutes as the score remained close for most of the half. The Cougars were finally able to create a little separation late in the period when they went on a 5-0 run to take a 39-34 lead with just over two minutes remaining in the half. Grand View responded with a 6-1 run of their own to tie the game at 40, but the Cougars were able to score the final three points of the half to take a 43-40 lead into the locker room. Adam Mennemeyer had a team high nine points in the half.
The Vikings came out in the second half and scored the first four points of the period to take a 44-43 lead. The Cougars answered with five straight points from Justin Shaw to retake a four point advantage but then the Vikings answered with four points of their own to tie the score at 48. Both sides exchanged points over the next few minutes but with the score tied at 54, Grand View used an 8-0 run to take a 62-54 lead with 7:08 left to play in the game. The Cougars had a tough time scoring the ball over the next few minutes and found themselves trailing 68-62 late in the contest. Columbia College was able to cut the lead to four with just over a minute to play but that was as close as they would get as the Vikings were able to close them out down the stretch to hand the Cougars their first loss of the season.
Justin Shaw led the way for Columbia as he finished with a team high 14 points in the game. In addition to Shaw, Adam Mennemeyer finished with 12 points and Darrick Ellis added 10 points to round out the top performers for the Cougars.
Following the conclusion of the tournament the all-tournament team was announced. For his efforts over the last two games, Clark Brewington from Evangel (Mo.) University was selected as the Most Valuable Player after averaging 22.5 points, 7 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in two games. In addition to Brewington, Thibault Benabid from Columbia College, David Johnson Jr. from William Woods (Mo.) University, Casey Shlatter from Grand View (Iowa) University, and Cade Coffman from Evangel (Mo.) University were all selected.
The men's basketball team is back in action on Wednesday, November 7th when they play host to the Westminster (Mo.) College Blue Jays in a nonconference matchup. The game is set to start at 7 p.m. in the Southwell Athletic Complex.
