Columbia, Mo. – This evening the Columbia College men's basketball team traveled to Parkville, Missouri to face the Park University Pirates in an AMC matchup. The Cougars fell just short in a battle against the Pirates 57-56. Columbia is now 13-13 on the season and 8-11 in conference play.
With the game underway, there was a bit of a drought for both teams as it was just 6-2 Pirates over four minutes in. The half continued to be low scoring as Park led 10-8, and took a timeout with around 11 and a half minutes to go in the first. The game remained close, Park up 13-11, while neither team could find a solid rhythm. Columbia took their first lead of the game with back to back threes making the score 17-15 and seven minutes before the half. The half was winding down and still no separation had been found for either side. Park led by one 25-24 at halftime.
The game picked up right where it left off, and was tied at 33 four minutes in. Park hit one from beyond the arc to take a three point lead and the Cougars wanted a quick timeout. As the battle continued, it was back and forth. With under 10 minutes to play, the Pirates were up one. Park went on a run to take a 51-46 lead, the most space there had been between the teams in a long time. Columbia took a timeout with under seven minutes to go. Following the timeout, the Cougars came battling back making it a two point game, 53-51. Park kept the lead, but Columbia was not letting them get far away. With 2:50 on the clock, Park wanted another timeout as they had a three point advantage, 57-54. The Cougars again cut the lead to one point. There were 24.8 seconds on the clock, Park had the ball and called one more timeout. Columbia was able to steal the Pirates sideline inbounds to regain the ball in the final seconds and called a timeout of their own. The Cougars were able to get sent to the line, but were unable to execute and fell 57-56 to the Pirates.
Justin Shaw dropped 17 points and Adam Mennemeyer recorded 13 points and five rebounds. Jalen Olds had five points, six boards, and four assists, Darrick Ellis had seven points and six rebounds, and Thibault Benabid grabbed 12 rebounds to round out the night.
The men's basketball team is back at home on Thursday, February 14th to take on the Central Baptist College Mustangs in an AMC contest. The game is set to start at 7:30 p.m.
