Columbia, Mo. – The Cougar men's basketball team defeated the Iowa Wesleyan Tigers, 84-73. With the victory, the Cougars improve to 3-2 on the season, while the Tigers fall to 1-4.

Right from the jump, it was a close game, neither team gaining a large advantage in the first half. Both teams traded the lead five times. Columbia was able to hold its largest lead of six-points over the Tigers. With just over six minutes remaining in the half, the Cougars were able to regain the lead, with eight-straight points. Columbia went into its locker room 37-31 at the half.

The Cougars increased their lead in the second half, and stretched it to double digits (50-40). The Tigers cut their deficit to nine with just over six minutes remaining, but the Cougars never looked back on their way to victory. The Cougars shot nearly 61.0-percent from the field (17-28, 60.7-percent) in the second half.

Key Moment:
The Cougars ended the first half on an 8-0 run to take a six-point advantage.  

By the Numbers:
12-4 – The Cougars had 12 second chance points compared to the Tigers four.
40-30 – Columbia outscored the Iowa Wesleyan by 10 with points in the paint.
40-28 – The Cougars had 12 more rebounds than the Tigers.
17-11 – Columbia had six more assists compared to the Iowa Wesleyan.
 
Columbia College Leaders: 
Scoring Leader – Tony Burks (24)
Rebounding Leader – Tony Burks (11)
Assist Leader – Carson Parker / Tony Burks (4)
Steals Leader – Tony Burks / Chima Oduocha / Beau Washer (1)

Iowa Wesleyan Leaders:
Scoring Leader – Alex Dentlinger (25)
Rebounding Leader – Victor Munoz (5)
Assist Leader – Kaleb Cresswell (6)
Steals Leader – Joey Brown / Victor Munoz / Alex Dentlinger (2)

Socket Player of the Game:

• Tony Burks - 24 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, one block, and one steal

Up Next:
The Cougars are back on the court on Nov. 12 and 13, when they travel to Springfield, Mo. to compete in the Baptist Bible College (Mo.) Classic.