Box Score St. Louis, Mo. – Today the Columbia College men's basketball team went to St. Louis, Missouri to play the St. Louis College of Pharmacy Eutectics in an AMC matchup. The Cougars dropped to the Eutectics 68-86 as they move to 9-9 on the season and 4-7 in conference play.
Columbia started off the game taking an 11-3 lead over the first two and a half minutes, but the Eutectics settled in and came right back over the next few possessions cutting the lead 15-13 just over six minutes in. The Cougars would call the first timeout as they held a three point lead 25-22 with about 11 minutes to go in the first half. The game was kept tight as the half progressed. It was tied up at 33 each as the teams continued back and forth. The Eutectics called a timeout with about five and a half minutes before the half, while the Cougars led by one, 37-36. Following the timeout, the Eutectics went on a run taking a 44-39 lead and Columbia called timeout with just over two minutes to play before halftime. In the remainder of the half, the Cougars were able to come back, only trailing by two, 46-44, at the break. Desmond Funches led all scorers with 13 points, along with six rebounds and four assists.
To start the second, Columbia quickly tied the game at 46 within 30 seconds. The Cougars called another timeout as the Eutectics went up 53-46 three and a half minutes into the half. Columbia was in need of a momentum swing as the Eutectics were holding the control. Funches was able to draw a big foul at the rim to get sent to the line where he sunk both to get the Cougars within three points, 55-52 with about 12 minutes to play. Then a dagger from Adam Mennemeyer and a bucket from Funches tied the game at 57, still 10 minutes to go. The Eutectics would snag some space as they took a 68-61 lead creating yet another Cougar timeout with 6:44 on the clock. The energy was once again in the Eutectics favor as their shots continued to fall and they took a 76-63 lead over the Cougars with under four minutes to go. Columbia could not overcome the Eutectics as they dropped 68-86.
Desmond Funches led the Cougars as he had career highs in points (23), assists (5), and rebounds (8). In addition, Justin Shaw had 11 points, four assists, and five rebounds, and Adam Mennemeyer added 11 points and five rebounds. Jalen Olds also grabbed six rebounds in the game.
The men's basketball team travels to Hannibal, Missouri on Tuesday, January 22nd to take on the Hannibal-LaGrange University Trojans in an AMC contest. The game is set to start at 7:30 p.m.
