Box Score Columbia, Mo. – This evening the Columbia College men's basketball team went to St. Louis, Missouri to face the Harris-Stowe State University Hornets in an AMC matchup. The Cougars defeated the Hornets 71-61. Columbia is now 12-12 on the season and 7-10 in conference play.
The Cougars started out the night taking a 10-3 lead in the first few minutes. The Hornets came right back and tied the game at 12 after seven minutes of play. As the half progressed, neither team could separate from the other, as the Hornets led 19-16 with less than 10 minutes until the break. The Cougars went on a quick spurt to take the lead 23-19. Each team continued to push the pace as the half was winding down and Columbia remained on top. The Hornets did not fall far behind as they were able to cut the lead to three, 33-30, but the Cougars hit a three to take back a six point lead with two minutes to play before the half. At halftime Columbia was able to stretch their lead to double-digits, as the score was 42-30. The Cougars were shooting 50 percent from the field as well as from three, while shooting 78 from the line.
Columbia came out with the same energy they left with before the break as they quickly went on an 8-0 run to lead 50-33. Not much scoring happened over the next few minutes, but the Cougars were in control as they led 53-35. The Hornets were able to cut the lead to 10, with about 10 minutes to play. Columbia led 55-46 as a Harris-Stowe timeout was called. As the Hornets kept fighting, the Cougars did a good job of keeping a bit of a cushion as they led 62-49. Columbia was able to hold off the Hornets in the final minutes of the game and solidify a 71-61 win.
Justin Shaw recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds, while Adam Mennemeyer had 18 points and six boards. Desmond Funches had 14 points, six rebounds, and three assists, and Thibault Benabid added 11 points and nine rebounds on the night.
The men's basketball team returns to Southwell Complex on Saturday, February 9th to take on the Hannibal-LaGrange University Trojans in an AMC contest. The game is set to start at 3:00 p.m.
