Box Score Hannibal, Mo. – This evening the Columbia College men's basketball team went to Hannibal, Missouri to play the Hannibal-LaGrange University Trojans in an AMC matchup. The Cougars fell to the Trojans 65-67. Columbia moves to 9-10 on the season and 4-8 in conference play.
In the first couple minutes of the game the score was kept close as the Cougars trailed 8-6. A three point conversion from Thibault Benabid gave Columbia a two point lead, 12-10, after seven minutes of play. The Trojans took an eight point lead with under 10 minutes remaining in the half causing a Cougar timeout. After the timeout, the game was scoreless for almost the next two minutes before the Trojans dropped another bucket, taking a 10 point lead. For the remainder of the half, Columbia hung around that 10 point deficit mark. With under 20 seconds to go, Jalen Olds hit a three to trail 36-26, but at the buzzer the Trojans answered back to hold a 39-26 lead at halftime.
Just over five minutes into the second half, Columbia was able to cut it to 10 again, 45-35. Out of a Trojan timeout, Columbia hit a quick three to get the lead into single digits, 45-38. The Cougars continued to chip away at the lead as they trailed by four, 45-41 with 11:20 on the clock. With under eight minutes remaining, Columbia still trailed by four, 53-49, as the Trojans called a timeout. Another timeout was called, this time by the Cougars, while trailing 60-53 with about four minutes left in the game. Justin Shaw came up with two quick back to back steals and finishes to cut the lead to three, 63-60 with 2:17 to play. The Trojans took a six point lead, but Shaw banged a trey to cut it right back to three with just under a minute remaining. Columbia continued to pick up full court and Shaw grabbed another steal and basket making it a one point game, 66-65. With 13.7 on the clock, and the Trojans headed to the line, the Cougars called a quick timeout. The Trojans hit one free throw and the ball was back in Columbia's hands as they rushed up the floor in an effort to tie the game in the final seconds. The Cougars were unable to convert as they fell 67-65.
Justin Shaw tied his career high with 20 points, along with having seven rebounds and four assists. In addition, Thibault Benabid recorded a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
The men's basketball team is back at home on Thursday, January 24th to take on the William Woods University Owls in an AMC contest. The game is set to start at 7:30 p.m. in Southwell Complex.
