Hannibal, Mo. – The Columbia College men's basketball team got one step closer to securing the No. 2-seed in the upcoming American Midwest Conference (AMC) postseason tournament. The Cougars have earned a top-four seed and will host a quarterfinal game on Feb. 24 at 7:00 PM.
The Cougars are now 15-11 overall and 9-3 in league play, while Hannibal-LaGrange falls to 6-18 and 4-9.
Both teams struggled in the first half, as the squads combined for just 38 points. Hannibal-LaGrange went up seven (17-10) with 5:01 left in the half, but the Cougars ended the half on an 8-3 run. However, the Trojans led 20-18 at the break.
The second half saw the Trojans take a six-point lead (39-33) with 9:14 left, but a quick 5-0 run from the Cougars cut that lead back down to one (39-38). A Trendon Tisdale three-pointer gave Columbia the 45-44 lead with just under four minutes remaining in regulation. The Trojans regained the lead and extended it to four points with 1:21 left, but a three-pointer by Cameron Vanleer and a free throw from Chima Oduocha tied the game at 50 and forced overtime.
The overtime period was all Columbia, as they outscored the Trojans 15-6. The Cougar defense held the Trojans scoreless for the first four minutes of the OT while making 11 of 15 free throws.
Key Moment:
Cameron Vanleer drained a triple with 1:00 left, getting Columbia within one point (50-49), setting up the tying free throw by Chima Oduocha with 12 seconds remaining, and forcing overtime.
By the Numbers:
14 – The Cougars dished out 14 assists on 19 made field goals.
20-6 – Columbia made 14 more free throws than Hannibal-LaGrange.
11 – The Cougars drained 11 free throws in the overtime period.
Columbia Leaders:
Scoring Leader – Trendon Tisdale (20)
Rebounding Leader – Beau Washer (9)
Assist Leader – Trendon Tisdale (4)
Steals Leader – Trendon Tisdale (2)
Hannibal-LaGrange Leaders:
Scoring Leader – Bryce Stark (19)
Rebounding Leader – Roger Guardiola (8)
Assist Leader – Michael Hood / Roger Guardiola / Landon Hall (3)
Steals Leader – Roger Guardiola (2)
Up Next:
The Cougars host Harris-Stowe on Saturday, Feb. 12, for Senior Day. Tip-off is set for 3:00 PM.
