Cougars Cruise to First Win of the Season

Columbia, Mo. – The Columbia College men’s basketball team cruised to a 45-point victory against Central Christian College of the Bible in the season opener. This marked the second-straight season the Cougars opened the season with a win against the Saints. 

The Cougars started strong as they shot 60.0-percent (18-30) from the field in the first half and 45.5-percent (5-11) from distance. Seven different players scored at least one point in the half. Defensively, CC forced five turnovers and held the Saints to 12-30 shooting from the field (40.0-percent). A layup by Kemryn Jenkins pushed the Cougars’ lead to 20-points for the first time in the game at 39-19 with 4:27 remaining, but CCCB was able to close the gap to 13 (46-33) at the break.  

Columbia saw 13 different players score in the second half, as they saw their lead grow to as many as 47 in the final half. The Cougars held the Saints to 8-27 shooting from the field and 1-12 from behind the 3-point line while shooting 55.8-percent (24-43) from the floor themselves. 

Key Moment:
Chima Oduocha made a layup in the paint to give the Cougars a 4-2 lead early. The Cougars would lead the rest of the way. 

By the Numbers:
41-19 – The Cougars bench outscored the Saints bench by 22 points. 
20-2 – Columbia held a huge advantage in second-chance points
64 – CC scored 64 points in the paint, while the Saints scored just 16 points. 
15 – The Cougars saw 15 different players score at least one point 

Columbia College Leaders:
Scoring Leader – Chima Oduocha (21)
Rebounding Leader – Chima Oduocha / Carson Parker (7)
Assist Leader – Carson Parker (3)

Central Christian College of the Bible Leaders:
Scoring Leader – Trey Black (16)
Rebounding Leader – Trey Black / Jamarey Larkin (4)
Assist Leader – Trey Black / Jamarey Larkin (2)

Up Next: 
The Cougars travel to McPherson, Kan. on Friday, Oct. 29, to face McPherson (Kan.) at 8:00 PM.