Columbia, Mo. – This afternoon the Columbia College men's basketball team hosted the Lincoln College Lynx in a nonconference game to wrap up their regular season competition. Today's game not only served as Senior Day for Jalen Olds, Darrick Ellis, and Tre Holliday, but also would be Coach Bob Burchard's last Saturday in Southwell coaching on Bob Burchard Court. The Cougars fell 88-79 to the Lynx and finish 15-15 to end the regular season.
Prior to the game, Jalen Olds, Darrick Ellis, and student assistant Tre Holliday were recognized for their dedication to wearing the Columbia name across their chest. The Cougar fans would like to extend a congratulations and a thank you to the seniors for all of their hard work on and off the court during their time at Columbia College.
In addition to Senior Day recognition and the emotions that come with it, there were extra emotions floating around Southwell Complex today as Coach Burchard led his Cougars one more time on the court that wore his name. Anyone that knows Coach Burchard, knows that one of his favorite things is being on a college campus in a gym on a Saturday. After a storied 31 year career, Burchard has created something extremely special while being at the helm of Columbia Athletics. He has impacted everyone that has crossed his path in some way, whether he knew it or not. Columbia Athletics are no secret anymore, putting Columbia College on the map. The Cougar community is forever grateful for all of the dedication, hard work, and heart that Coach Burchard has put into his time at Columbia College. We wish him the best as he ends one unforgettable journey and starts a new chapter.
The game was underway as the Lynx jumped to a quick 6-0 lead. The Cougars were settling in as they did not waste time cutting it to 6-5. Columbia stayed just behind the Lynx over the next minutes, but the Lynx would then use a run to lead 18-9 about seven minutes in. As the half continued, the Cougars found themselves down 31-16, however Columbia went on an 8-0 run cutting the lead 31-24. With under four minutes to go before the break, the Cougars cut the game to four points. In the last two minutes the Lynx stretched their lead a bit, as they led 42-33 at halftime.
Columbia came out ready to fight in the second half while cutting the game to four points again, just two minutes in and within the next minute had it at a two point game, 44-42. The Cougars could not get ahead as the Lynx took back a few possession lead. Stuck at that hump, Columbia again cut it to two, just under the 14 minute mark. The battle continued with the Cougars staying close, but the Lynx would grab a 10 point lead, 64-54. Over the next few minutes Columbia stayed around that double digit deficit mark, struggling to break the Lynx down. Eight minutes to play and the Lynx were up 76-66. The Cougars pushed forward going on an 8-1 run, cutting it to just three points, 77-74, with five and a half minutes remaining. Despite making the push, the Lynx again grabbed some buckets to hold onto their lead as Columbia could not overcome the Lynx, falling 88-79.
Five Cougars were in double digits this afternoon. Justin Shaw recorded 16 points and five rebounds, Jalen Olds dropped 15 points and three rebounds, Braden Wendel had a career-high 14 points, going 4-4 from three, along with four rebounds and two assists, Adam Mennemeyer had 11 points, four rebounds, and tied his career-high six assists, and Thibault Benabid added 10 points and nine boards. In addition, Jaylen Johnson had a career-high five rebounds on the afternoon. Columbia finished shooting 51 percent from the field, 40 from beyond the arc, and 78 from the charity stripe, along with 14 assists.
The men's basketball team has concluded regular season play and has been locked in as the eighth seed in the AMC Conference Tournament. They will play in the AMC Quarterfinals against the first seeded Missouri Baptist University Spartans on Thursday, February 28th, in St. Louis. The game will tip-off at 7 p.m.
