Conway, Ark. - The Cougars continued on the road as they were now in Conway, Arkansas taking on the top seed Central Baptist College Mustangs in the AMC Tournament Semifinals. Fifth seeded Columbia showed up well prepared, forcing the game to overtime, yet coming up just short as they fell 90-80. The Cougars finished their first season under head coach Tomas Brock with a record of 20-12.
The Cougars came out looking well prepared as they were playing tough on the defensive end and making the smart plays on the offensive end to lead 19-13 near midway through the first half. Columbia continued to play as a unit on both ends, but the Mustangs would not let the gap get away from them as the Cougars led 39-33 at the break.
In the first three minutes of the second half, the Mustangs went on a run to cut the deficit to two, 43-41, causing a Cougar timeout. The Mustangs were trying to capture the momentum as they tied the game at 46 and took a charge on their next defensive possession. Over the next few minutes the Mustangs were able to take a 57-53 advantage with about 10 minutes remaining. With just under five minutes to go, the Cougars trailed 66-62. Two free throws and a nicely executed offensive possession tied the game at 66. With one minute left on the clock, the Mustangs were able to tie the game at 69 with a free throw. A strong drive and finish from Desmond Funches put the Cougars up 71-69, but the Mustangs quickly tied it back at 71. The ball was back in the Cougars hands and they called timeout with 11.9 remaining. Columbia unable to get the ball to fall, would send the game to overtime with regulation ending 71-71.
Overtime: The Cougars trailed 82-78 with about 1:20 to go, however a pair of free throws cut it to two. Columbia was forced to foul as they trailed by four with 36 seconds on the clock. The Cougars kept fighting, but the Mustangs were able to secure the game at the foul line in the remaining seconds as the Cougars fell 90-80.
Key Moment
Central Baptist knocked down their free throws down the stretch to secure the victory.
By The Numbers
Cougars shot 48% from the field and 33% from three
54-46 – Mustangs bench outscored Cougars bench
22-11 – Mustangs doubled the Cougars second chance points
14-17 – Columbia was 82% from the line
Columbia College Leaders
Scoring Leader – Justin Shaw (22)
Rebounding Leader – Thibault Benabid (7)
Assist Leaders – Beau Washer (5)
CBC Leaders
Scoring Leader – Tedrick Wolfe (24)
Rebounding Leader – Tyrone Alston (8)
Assist Leaders – Tyrone Alston (3)
Up Next
Columbia ends their season in a thrilling AMC Tournament Semifinal overtime game against the number one seed Central Baptist. Tomas Brock concludes his first season at the helm of the Cougars with a 20-12 record.
