Columbia, Mo. – The Columbia College men's basketball team fell to Central Baptist (Ark.) in their final game of the regular season this afternoon, 86-68. The Cougars fall to 15-6 overall and 9-4 in the American Midwest Conference.
 
The first few minutes of play was a back-and-forth battle between the Cougars and Mustangs. A jumper made by Jack Fritsche put Columbia on top for the first time in the game, 4-3. Central Baptist produced an 8-0 run extending their lead to ten points midway through the first half, 23-13. The Cougars went on a run of their own securing eight-straight points coming within two points, 23-21. That is as close as Columbia would come for the remainder of the half. The Mustangs took a 36-46 advantage heading into the half.
 
Central Baptist continued their momentum into the final half taking their largest lead of the game of 22 points with 11:26 on the clock. The Mustangs shot 49.2 percent for the game, taking an 86-68 victory over the Cougars.


By the Numbers
49-38 – Central Baptist shot 49-percent from the field while the Cougars shot 38-percent
43–31 – The Cougars were out-rebounded 43-31
7-5 – Columbia blocked seven shots, two more than the Mustangs
44-14 – The Mustangs out shot the Cougars shooting 44-percent from the 3-point arc compared to Columbia's 14-percent

Columbia College Leaders
Scoring Leader - Tony Burks (16)
Rebounding Leader – Carson Parker (7)
Assist Leader – Harrison Vickers (3)


Central Baptist Leaders
Scoring Leader – Preston Whitfield (19)
Rebounding Leader – TaJuan Johnson (7)
Assist Leader – Preston Whitfield (2)
 
Up Next
The Cougars will host the AMC Quarterfinals on Thursday, February 25 at 7:00 p.m. Opponent TBD.