Columbia, Mo. – This afternoon the Columbia College men's basketball team played host to the Lindenwood University-Belleville Lynx in an AMC matchup. The Cougars pulled out the win 71-68 over the Lynx. Columbia is now 10-11 on the season and 5-9 in conference play.
As the game began the Lynx went on a 10-0 run in the first three and a half minutes, forcing an early timeout from the Cougars. Six straight points from Darrick Ellis had the Cougars trailing 14-6. Columbia was having a hard time slowing the Lynx down on offense as they held a 19-8 lead with just over 12 minutes on the clock. The Cougars were beginning to wake up as they used a quick 4-0 run to cut the lead 19-12. With five minutes before the break, Columbia trailed by five points. As the first half came to a close, the Cougars were able to keep themselves in the game trailing by three, 31-28. In the half, Columbia shot 44 percent from the field, 40 from three, and was perfect from the free throw line.
Over the first five minutes of the second half, Columbia was able to cut the lead to one, 38-39, and then take a one point lead 40-39 on a pair of free throws. The Cougars felt a burst of energy as their run continued and they took a 44-39 lead, causing a Lynx timeout about seven minutes in. Back to back threes from the Lynx put them back in the lead by one, 51-50, and another Cougar timeout was called with about 10 minutes left in the game. Over the next minutes the game stayed tight throughout. It was all tied up at 58 with six and a half minutes to go. Neither team could get away from each other as time progressed. A huge three-point conversion from Braden Wendel put Columbia up 64-62 with three minutes left. A Lynx timeout was called at the two minute mark as the Cougars took a four point lead, 67-63. One minute remaining and the score was 67-65, Cougars. Desmond Funches was sent to the line with 33 seconds on the clock, where he sunk both to take a four point lead. The Lynx then hit a three and called an immediate timeout as they trailed by one, 68-67, with 19.9 seconds on the clock. Out of the timeout the Lynx picked up full court and were forced to foul the Cougars where they again hit both to be up three. The Lynx had the ball in their hands for the final possession and got a shot off, but Columbia was able to secure the rebound and take the 71-68 victory.
Adam Mennemeyer and Justin Shaw each had 13 points, while Mennemeyer also had six rebounds and two assists, and Shaw had four rebounds and three assists. Thibault Benabid, Darrick Ellis, Desmond Funches, and Jalen Olds chipped in eight points each. In addition, Benabid also pulled down seven boards, while Ellis had six.
The men's basketball team is back at home on Thursday, January 31st to take on the Williams Baptist University Eagles in an AMC contest. The game is set to start at 7:30 p.m. in Southwell Complex.
