Columbia, Mo. – Tonight the Columbia College men's basketball team played host to the Crowley's Ridge College Pioneers in a nonconference matchup. The Cougars defeated the Pioneers 101-69 as they move to 9-8 on the season.
The Cougars started with a bang off the opening tip as Braden Wendel assisted Jalen Olds on a slam to go up 2-0 immediately. In the first two minutes Columbia went on a 7-0 run, but the Pioneers came climbing back. The Pioneers cut the lead 11-8 and called for a timeout just over three minutes in. The game would be knotted at 13 after seven minutes of play. Over the next few possessions, Columbia found themselves down 19-15 and would take their first timeout. Following the timeout, the game was kept tight. The Cougars were able to take the lead back 24-22 with under 10 minutes before the break. The Pioneers continued to trail close behind as Columbia held a 34-28 lead with less than five minutes to go. The Cougars were able to take a 10 point lead going into halftime up 46-36. Thibault Benabid led all scorers with 12 points, along with eight rebounds. Columbia shot 51 percent from the field and 70 percent from the line, while having 11 assists in the half.
Columbia would start the second half just like the first, with a dunk, this time coming from Justin Shaw who grabbed a steal and finished with a slam on the other end. The Pioneers cut the lead to single digits and called for another quick timeout only two minutes in. After the timeout, the Cougars rapidly stretched their lead, 64-42, forcing another Pioneer timeout just minutes later. The Pioneers continued to struggle as Columbia held a comfortable lead 72-52 with eleven minutes remaining in the game. The Cougars put their foot on the gas and ran away with it over the remainder of the game solidifying a 101-69 victory in Southwell Complex.
Columbia had six players reach double figures. Jalen Olds recorded a career high 16 points, Justin Shaw had 15 points and dished out five assists, Thibault Benabid had 14 points and nine rebounds, and Adam Mennemeyer chipped in 13 points and tied his career high 10 rebounds, while Desmond Funches also had 13 points and five rebounds. In addition, three other Cougars achieved career highs tonight in points and rebounds including Landon Harrison with eight points and four rebounds, Jaxon Althaus with six points and five rebounds, and Jaylen Johnson with six points and four rebounds.
The men's basketball team travels to St. Louis, Missouri on Saturday, January 17th to take on the St. Louis College of Pharmacy Eutectics in an AMC contest. The game is set to start at 3 p.m.
