Box Score Walnut Ridge, Ark. – The Columbia College men's basketball team was back in action tonight when they traveled to Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, to take on the Williams Baptist (Ark.) University Eagles in an AMC matchup. The Cougars were defeated by the Eagles by a final score of 98-93 in double overtime. With the loss, Columbia falls to 5-5 on the year and 2-3 in AMC play.
The Cougars came out in the first half and were able to take an early 4-0 lead thanks to four straight points from Thibault Benabid. The Eagles quickly responded by knocking down a three pointer on their next possession, but five straight points from the Cougars gave them a 9-3 lead with just over 16 minutes to play in the half. Williams Baptist picked it up over the next few minutes and were able to tie the score at nine, but an 8-2 run from Columbia gave them a 17-11 lead with 13 minutes left in the period. Despite being down, the Eagle battled back and were able to tie the score at 22 before taking their first lead of the game midway through half. Each side exchanged points down the final stretch of the period but a three pointer from the Eagles at the end of the half gave them a 44-41 lead heading into the break. Benabid had a team high nine points in the half.
Columbia College came out of the locker room and went on an 8-0 run to start the half to take a 49-44 lead. The Eagles picked it up over the next few minutes and were able to tie the score at 50 with 15 minutes left to play in the game. The score remained close for the next few minutes as neither side was able to gain an advantage. With Williams Baptist leading 66-63, with seven minutes left to play in the game, the Cougars were able to score the next nine points to take a 72-66 lead. They were able to hold onto that lead down the final stretch of the half but the Eagles were able to tie the score in the final minutes of the contest to send the game to overtime tied at 75.
The Cougars were able to score the first basket of the overtime period to take a 77-75 lead. However, their lead did not last long as the Eagles answered with a 5-0 run to take an 80-77 advantage with 2:55 left to play. The Cougars bounced back and were able to go on a 7-2 run to end the first overtime, including a three point shot from Adam Mennemeyer in the final seconds, to tie the score at 82 and send the game to a second overtime.
In the second overtime, both sides came out and exchanged points through the first four minutes of the period. With the score tied at 90, the Eagles closed out the game on an 8-3 run to hand Columbia College their third straight loss with a 98-93 win.
Thibault Benabid led the way for Columbia as he finished with a team high 22 points and eight rebounds. To go along with Benabid, Jalen Olds finished with 10 points, Adam Mennemeyer added 17 points, and Ethan Thompson had 14 points to round out the top scorers for Columbia.
The men's basketball team is back in action on Saturday, December 15th when they travel to Henderson, Tennessee, to take on the Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) University Lions in an AMC matchup. The game is set to tip-off at 3 p.m.
