Cougars Lose AMC Semifinal Thriller

COLUMBIA, Mo. – The (RV) Columbia College men’s basketball team fell to Missouri Baptist in the AMC Men’s Basketball Tournament Semifinals Presented by Tandem HR this afternoon, 67-62.

The Cougars move to 23-6 on the season.

Columbia began the contest on a 7-2 run, eventually taking their largest lead of the game of 13-5 with 14:47 in the first half.
 
Shortly after, Missouri Baptist would take their first lead and produce a 12-0 run, taking a 24-18 advantage.

The Spartans held a 38-29 edge into the half, shooting 42 percent from the field and 33 percent from the three point line.

Columbia shot 37 percent from the field and just 18 percent from the arc.

Collin Parker led the Cougars with 10 points and five rebounds at the halfway mark.

After a back-and-forth battle to begin the second half, Columbia gained momentum taking an 8-0 run. Trever Moore added seven of those points, grabbing a three-pointer, a jumper, and a pair of free throws. This put the Cougars within five points with 12:26 remaining in the game.

Columbia came within one after a made layup by Isaiah Holden with 9:18 left on the clock, 53-52. This was as close as the Cougars would come, as the Spartans would go on an eventual 9-1 run with 5:02 to go.

Columbia made way, edging within three, but Missouri Baptist held a 67-62 advantage.

By the numbers, Columbia outshot the Missouri Baptist 30-20 in the paint, while the Spartans made 20 second chance points to Columbia’s six.

Columbia will await the NAIA Men’s Basketball Selection Show, March 7 at 6:00 p.m. for a potential at-large bid.