Cougars Fall Short Against Evangel

Springfield, Mo. – The Cougar men’s basketball team was defeated by the Evangel Valor, 76-83, at the Baptist Bible College (Mo.) Classic. With this defeat, the Cougars fall to 3-3 on the season, while the Valor moves to 3-2.
 
The Cougars were able to find the basket first, but neither team gained any traction to take a sizable lead in the first half. Evangel was able to get a jump on the Cougars with a six-point lead in the first 10 minutes of the game. The Cougars battled, and the two teams traded the lead six times. With just over a minute remaining in the half, the Valor knocked down a three-point field goal to take the halftime lead, 37-35.
 
Columbia started the second half on fire. A three-pointer by Kemryn Jenkins gave the Cougars their largest lead over Evangel of five points. The Valor went on an 8-2 scoring run giving them the lead. Columbia cut their deficit to two points with just over two minutes remaining, but the Valor rattled off five straight points to extend the lead out of the Cougars’ reach. 
 
Key Moment:
After a pair of Tony Burks free throws cut the Valor lead down to 73-71, Evangel answered with the following five points to regain a seven-point advantage. 
 
By the Numbers:
40-26 – The Cougars had 14 more points in the paint than the Valor. 
24-20 – Evangel had four more bench points compared to Columbia
34-33 – Evangel had one more rebound than Columbia. 
  
Columbia College Leaders: 
Scoring Leader – Tony Burks (16)
Rebounding Leader – Tony Burks (12)
Assist Leader – Tony Burks (8)
Steals Leader – Tony Burks (3)
 
Evangel University Leaders:
Scoring Leader – Josh Pritchett (23)
Rebounding Leader – Cade Coffman (7)
Assist Leader – Josh Pritchett (4)
Steals Leader – Edriel Martinborough (4)
 
Up Next:
The Cougars compete in day two of the Baptist Bible College (Mo.) Classic on Saturday, Nov. 13. Tip-off against Waldorf University is set for 2:45 PM.