Cougars Rally Past Eagles

COLUMBIA, Mo. – The No. 23-ranked Columbia College men’s basketball team slid away with a 70-66 victory over Williams Baptist (Ark.) this afternoon.

The Cougars improve to 7-2 on the season and 1-1 in the American Midwest Conference (AMC).

Both the Cougars and the Eagles were slow to get much offensive action in the mix midway through the first half of action.

Columbia held Williams Baptist to just 10 points with 8:24 remaining in the first half, 17-10.

The defensive effort by the Cougars also limited the Eagles to 25 percent (7 of 28) from the field in the opening period.

At the half, Columbia secured a 37-18 advantage.

The Cougars gained their largest lead of the game with a 24 point edge over the Eagles with 12:53 left in the contest.

Williams Baptist slowly edged their way back into the game coming within two points with 16 seconds remaining, but Trendon Tisdale secured a pair of free throws to close out the game, 70-66.

Columbia out-rebounded Williams Baptist 44 to 31, while points in the paint also favored the Cougars 32 to 28. 

Collin Parker led the way with 14 points, while Marlon Allen produced a double-double, adding 12 points and a season high, 17 rebounds.

Columbia travels to Mount Mercy (Iowa) for their next matchup on Dec. 5 at 6:00 p.m.