Cougars Win Season Opener Over Avila

Columbia, Mo. – The Columbia College men’s basketball team used a 14-0 run midway through the first half to build a 28-point halftime lead as the Cougars defeated Avila University 85-48 in the season opener for both teams Wednesday at the Arena of Southwell Complex.
 
Collin Parker had a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Marlon Allen (14), Brock Davis (13) and Harrison Vickers (10) also scored in double figures for the Cougars. 
 
Columbia shot 42.9 percent (30-70) from the field and hit 16-of-22 (72.7 percent) from the foul line in the win. The Cougars outrebounded Avila 57-33 and had a 40-14 advantage in points in the paint.
 
Trever Moore, the transfer from NCAA Division II Missouri St-Louis, hit a three on the first possession of the game and Collin Parker scored six-straight points as the Cougars led 11-8 in the opening seven minutes. A three-pointer from Collin Parker spearheaded a 14-0 run as the lead grew to 22-8 with 10:29 to play.
 
Columbia ended the half on an 11-1 run as the Cougars took a 45-17 lead. Allen and Parker each had 11 points to lead the Cougars, who limited Avila to 13.3 percent (4-30) shooting. Columbia hit seven threes in the first half.
 
Avila went on a 9-2 run to trim the advantage to 54-35 with 14:26 left and force a timeout by Columbia head coach Tomas Brock. Davis and Vickers combined to score 10-straight points to put the game out of reach and extend the lead to 66-38 with 9:58 to play. 
 
Jaren Miller had eight points for Avila, who was playing its first game under new head coach Tyler Bredehoeft. The Eagles were limited to 22.8 percent (13-57) shooting from the field and hit just 5-of-23 from three-point range.
 
Columbia plays its first road game of the season on Saturday, Nov. 4 at Missouri Valley College. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. in Marshall, Mo.
 
NOTES: Columbia has won nine-straight meetings vs. Avila and leads the all-time series 19 -1 … The Cougars have won their last three season openers … The double-double for Parker was the sixth of his career … Columbia had 11 players score in the season-opening win … Beau Washer added four points and 10 rebounds off the bench.