COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Columbia College men's basketball team defeated Baker University (Kan.) 79-61 Friday night in the Hampton Inn Thanksgiving Classic to improve to 7-1 on the season. The Cougars controlled the game throughout, never trailing after the opening minutes and building a lead as large as 20 points.
 

Columbia shot 42.4 percent from the field and controlled the boards, out-rebounding Baker 47-32 while outscoring the Wildcats 22-14 in the paint.

Four Cougars reached double figures in the balanced offensive effort. Jemeal Goines led the way with 16 points and and tied a game-high 11 rebounds for his latest double-double. 
 

Johnny Anderson added 12 points and 11 rebounds for a double-double of his own, going 4-of-7 from three-point range. Max Rieger came off the bench to contribute 12 points on perfect 4-of-7 shooting from beyond the arc in 21 efficient minutes.
 

Caleb Jones added 11 points with three assists and three steals, while AJ Walker chipped in nine points including a pair of first-half three-pointers.

Columbia jumped out to a 6-0 lead and never looked back, taking a 40-33 advantage into halftime. The Cougars pulled away in the second half as their defense clamped down, holding Baker to just 29 percent shooting after the break.
 

Columbia's ability to get to the free-throw line proved crucial, converting 17-of-20 attempts (85 percent) compared to Baker's 9-of-15 (60 percent). The lead ballooned to 20 points in the final minutes as the Cougars cruised to victory.
 

Columbia returns to action at the Hampton Inn Thanksgiving Classic tomorrow afternoon against Benedictine College (Kan.). Tip off is set for 3:00 p.m.