Box Score Conway, Ark. – The fifth ranked Columbia College men's basketball team was back in action today when they traveled to Conway, Arkansas to take on the 22nd ranked Central Baptist College Mustangs in an AMC matchup. The Cougars fell to the Mustangs by a final score of 83-74. Columbia is now 26-3 on the season and 18-3 in conference play.
The Cougars would jump out early leading 13-5 after the first seven minutes of play. Columbia's defense was making the Mustangs work every possession and caused seven Mustang turnovers over the first 12 minutes. The Cougars held a 23-15 lead with five minutes remaining before the break. As the half continued, Columbia was controlling the game, but the Mustangs would trail close behind. The Mustangs began to make a late push as they cut the Cougars lead to five with two minutes to go. Columbia was able to hold a 32-28 lead at halftime.
Each team came out of the break exchanging baskets. The Mustangs wasted no time as they continued to cut the Cougars lead. The Mustangs took their first lead of the game 42-41 with 15:14 to go. A big three from Adam Mennemeyer would give the Cougars the lead back 46-45 with about 13 minutes to play. Battling on both ends of the floor, neither team could shake the other off. The Mustangs took a 53-48 lead with under 10 minutes left, causing the Cougars to call a timeout. The intensity continued as Columbia cut the lead back to three as the score was 58-55 with 5:46 in the game. The Mustangs would go on a run as they stretched their lead to 71-60 with three minutes left in the game. Columbia found themselves trailing 77-69 with 50 seconds remaining. A quick drive to the basket by the Cougars would make the score 78-71 Mustangs with 41 seconds on the clock. Columbia did their best to rally back in the final minute, but would fall to the Mustangs 74-83.
Nathan Biggs led the way for the Cougars as he achieved 1,000 career points this afternoon. Biggs finished with 14 points and seven rebounds. In addition, Hank Mathews (13), Jackson Dubinski (13), and Adam Mennemeyer (12) recorded double digits. Along with his 13 points, Dubinski grabbed seven rebounds and dished out three assists. Lucky Ogbomo pulled down a team high nine rebounds in the contest.
The men's basketball team is back in action on Saturday, February 24th when they host the Missouri Baptist University Spartans on Senior Day. The game is set to start at 3 p.m.
