Cougars Fall Short in AMC Title Game

St. Louis, Mo. – The Columbia College men’s basketball team came up just short in the American Midwest Conference (AMC) Men’s Basketball Tournament Championship game. 
 
The Spartans defeated the Cougars, 66-65, and improved their record to 26-5. The season ends for the Cougars with a record of 21-12. 
 
Missouri Baptist was in control much of the first half, as they led by as many as 17 in the first 14 minutes of the game, 29-12. The Cougars started chipping away, ending the first half on a 13-2 run and trailed by just six at the intermission. 
 
Columbia carried that momentum over into the second half. Carson Parker knocked down a pair of three throws to give Columbia their first lead of the game (40-39) with 11:38 left. The Cougars led by as many as five (53-48) with 6:59 left, but could not put the Spartans away. The following minutes were a battle, with each team trading baskets. Tony Burks knocked down a pair of clutch free throws to give Columbia a 65-64 advantage with 12 seconds left, but a missed shot by the Spartans, followed by an offensive rebound and putback, gave MBU the lead. Burks had a shot go in but was ruled after the buzzer, and the Spartans escaped with the win. 
 
Key Moment:
MBU scored a bucket with 0.5 seconds left in the game to earn the win. 
 
By the Numbers:
4 – Four Cougars scored in double figures. 
7 – There were seven lead changes in the final five minutes of play. 
18 – Columbia had 18 points off turnovers.
 
Columbia Leaders:
Scoring Leader – Tony Burks (20)
Rebounding Leader – Cameron Vanleer (8)
Assist Leader – Tony Burks (2)
Steals Leader – Tony Burks / Cole Gerken (2)
 
Missouri Baptist Leaders:
Scoring Leader – Jadis White (18)
Rebounding Leader – John Yaeger (9)
Assist Leader – Jadis White (6)
Steals Leader – RJ Pair (5)