Columbia, Mo. – The Columbia College men's basketball team was back in action tonight when they took on the fifth ranked Missouri Baptist University Spartans in an AMC matchup. After a hard fought battle, the Cougars fell to the Spartans by a final score of 75-73.Columbia moves to 8-8 on the season and 4-6 in conference play.
The Cougars had a great start as they went on a 7-0 run forcing an early Spartan timeout two minutes into the game. After the timeout, the Spartans went on a 10-0 run to take the lead 10-7. After seven minutes of play, the game was tied 12-12. As the half progressed, the game remained tight while the Cougars were making the Spartans work for every bucket as Columbia lead 24-18. With under 10 before the break, Missouri Baptist called for another timeout. The Cougars kept up the intensity on the defensive end while going on an explosive 6-0 run to lead 36-27 with a minute and a half to go. With momentum in their favor, Columbia headed to the locker room up 38-32. The Cougars shot 48 percent from the field, 50 percent from three, and 80 percent from the line in the first half.
In the first four minutes of the second half, the Spartans cut the lead 45-44. The Cougars were able to use a run to go up 52-46, however Missouri Baptist came right back tying the game at 52 with 11:30 on the clock. Columbia called a timeout while the score remained tied. Each team continued to battle while the Cougars trailed by three with less than ten minutes to play. Braden Wendel took a charge to get the ball back in Columbia's hands. As the second half continued, the Cougars remained in striking distance. A crucial steal and a bucket by Desmond Funches would cut the score 61-60, but the Spartans quickly took back a six point lead to force the Cougars to call a timeout with just under five remaining. Following the timeout, a three from Adam Mennemeyer would cut the Cougars deficit to three. With 2:20 on the clock, the Spartans lead by one, 66-65. The Spartans grabbed a quick two buckets to regain some space leading 71-65, causing a Columbia timeout with one minute left in the game. With 36 seconds to go, the Cougars trailed by four and were forced to foul. With 6.8 seconds on the clock, Justin Shaw got fouled as he banged in a three and was sent to the line where he completed the four point play to cut the lead 75-73 in the final seconds. Columbia quickly fouled the Spartans on the inbounds to send them to the free throw line. As Missouri Baptist missed the free throw, the Cougars snagged the rebound and pushed the ball up the floor getting off a great look that just missed at the buzzer as they fell 75-73 to the Spartans.
Three Cougars were in double figures including Justin Shaw who recorded 20 points, Desmond Funches had 18 points, going 2-3 from three, and Steven Holloway chipped in 10 points and five rebounds. In addition, Thibault Benabid brought down 12 rebounds, while Adam Mennemeyer handed out four assists on the night.
The men's basketball team is back in action on Tuesday, January 15th when they play host to the Crowley's Ridge College Pioneers. The game is set to start at 7 p.m. in the Southwell Athletic Complex.
