Conway, Ark. – The Columbia men's basketball moves into first-place in the American Midwest Conference (AMC) with a 77-76 win in double overtime on Saturday afternoon.

The first 15 minutes of the game was back-and-forth as neither team held a lead larger than four-points. The final five minutes of the half was all Cougars, as they extended their lead out to seven points (35-28) at the half.

Central Baptist came out strong in the second half and tied the game with 17:09 remaining the game at 35-35. After the Mustangs took a 43-37 lead with 14:24 left, Columbia answered right back and tied the game at 43-43 with 12:35 remaining. The Mustangs went on a 11-2 run and had a nine-point advantage with just over seven minutes left.
The Cougars kept battling and remained close, which set up Carson Parker's game-tying three-point field goal as time expired to send the game into overtime.

In the first overtime, Central Baptist jumped out to a five-point advantage (67-62), but the Cougars came back once again and tied the ballgame at 68. The Mustangs were up two and at the free throw line, when Tedrick Wolfe missed, which set up a drive by Tony Burks who was fouled and made two free throws with no time left on the clock and sent the game into overtime No. 2.

In the second overtime, Central Baptist took another lead at 76-73,  but the Cougars scored the next four-points and won, 77-76.
 
By the Numbers
51.9 – Columbia shot 51.9-percent from the field in the first half.
13-15 – The Cougars went 13-15 from the foul line.
13 – Columbia had 13 offensive rebounds.
 
Columbia College Leaders
Scoring Leader – Tony Burks (19)
Rebounding Leader – Cole Gerken (9)
Assist Leader – Carson Parker/Cameron Vanleer/Cole Gerken (3)

Central Baptist College Leaders
Scoring Leader – Kelvin Robinson (17)
Rebounding Leader – Kelvin Robinson (8)
Assist Leader – Preston Whitfield/TaJuan Johnson (3)
 
Up Next
The Cougars will take on William Woods (Mo.) on Thursday, Jan. 28 against William Woods in Fulton, Mo.