Columbia, Mo. – The Columbia College men's basketball team improves to 15-5 overall and 9-3 in the American Midwest Conference with a hard-fought victory on the road. Carson Parker scored a career-high and Tony Burks brought down a career-high in rebounds in the 72-67 win.  
 
The Eutectics came out strong, scoring 13 of the first 22 points, but the Cougars responded and tied the game at 13-13. UHSP increased their lead to 19-14, but again Columbia bounced back and tied the game at 21-21. The two teams combined for nine ties in the first half and Columbia took a 31-27 lead into the halftime break.
 
Columbia raced out of the halftime gates, leading by six (35-29) with 18:16 remaining. The Eutectics came back to tie the game at 38. The turning point of the game came with just under eight minutes to go in the game. After an RJ Wright basket got UHSP to within three points (52-49), Carson Parker answered with a two-point field goal to increase the lead back to five (54-49). After a miss on the other end, the Cougars came down and a CJ Pfaff bucket made the score, 56-49. On the ensuing inbound pass, Jorge Bueno stole the ball and kicked to Paff who knocked down the three-point field goal, giving the Cougars its largest lead up to that point at 59-49. UHSP chipped away and got the deficit down to five, but that was as close as they would get.  
 
By the Numbers
42-30 – Columbia had 42 points in the paint
14-12   - Tony Burks had a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds
15 – The Cougars had 15 second chance points
 
Columbia College Leaders
Scoring Leader – Carson Parker (22) – Career-High
Rebound Leader – Tony Burks (12) – Career-High
Assist Leader – Harrison Vickers (3)
 
Health Sciences & Pharmacy Leaders
Scoring Leader – RJ Wright (14)
Rebound Leader – Darius Dorsey (9)
Assist Leader – RJ Wright (4)
 
Up Next
The Cougars are back in action on Saturday, when they host Central Baptist (Ark.) in a key AMC contest. Tip off is set for 3:00 PM.