McPherson, Kansas– The Cougar men's basketball team fell to Bethel College on the road tonight, 66-76. The loss moves Columbia to 1-2 while Bethel improves to 2-0.

A close game from the jump, neither team gained any traction to take a sizable lead in the first half. Columbia took advantage of the boards leading to 11 second chance points but struggled from behind the arc, connecting on just one of their 10 attempts. The Threshers held a 37-34 lead at the break.

Bethel increased their lead quickly in the second half and never looked back, holding the lead the entire 20 minutes. Columbia cut their deficit to six with just over nine minutes remaining, but the Threshers rattled off seven straight points on their way to victory.

Key Moment:
A 10-2 run late in the second half put the game out of reach for Columbia.  

By the Numbers:
6 – Bethel swiped six more steals than the Cougars
16-11 – Columbia's second chance points outnumbered the Threshers
46 – Cougar points in the paint
10 – Bethel had 10 more chances at the charity stripe than the Cougars did.

Columbia College Leaders:
Scoring Leader – Tony Burks (17)
Rebounding Leader – Tony Burks (8)
Assist Leader – Kemryn Jenkins (3)
Steals Leader – Tony Burks (2)

Bethel Leaders:
Scoring Leader – Jaylon Scott (31)
Rebounding Leader – Jaylon Scott (13)
Assist Leader – Clifford Byrd (3)
Steals Leader – Clifford Byrd (5)

Up Next:
The Cougars host Westminster (Mo.) College on Wednesday, November 3^rd. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM in the Arena of Southwell Complex.