Men’s Basketball Completes Regular-Season Sweep of Central Baptist

Conway, Ark. – The Columbia College men’s basketball team became the only American Midwest Conference (AMC) team to win a road game at Central Baptist this season. The Cougars defeated the Mustangs, 68-65, and maintained the second spot in the AMC standings. 
 
The Cougars can clinch the No. 2-seed with a win on Saturday or a William Woods loss on Friday or Saturday. 
 
The game’s first seven minutes were evenly matched, as CBC held the largest lead at three points, 9-6. The Cougars went on a little run and took a 20-13 lead after a Tony Burks three-pointer with 11:28 left in the first half. After the Mustangs scored a basket with 10:31 left, neither team scored until the 8:17 mark. The Cougars would lead 34-31 at the intermission. 
 
Columbia opened an eight-point lead with 18:31 left in the second half after Chima Oduocha made a layup. After the Mustangs cut the gap to six (42-36) with 17:35 left, both teams went into another scoring drought, as the next basket came with 14:43 on the clock. The Cougar lead reached as many as nine in the half and the Cougars left Conway with the win. 
 
Key Moment:
The Mustangs got within three (56-53) with 5:59 left, but three-straight layups by the Cougars extended their lead back to nine (62-53). 
 
By the Numbers:
10 – Columbia made ten three-point field goals. 
44-38 – The Cougars held a slight advantage on the boards. 
24 – Each team scored 24 points in the paint
 
Columbia Leaders:
Scoring Leader – Tony Burks (18)
Rebounding Leader – Tony Burks (10)
Assist Leader – Collin Parker / Cole Gerken (2)
Steals Leader – Cameron Vanleer (3)
 
Central Baptist Leaders:
Scoring Leader – Jordan Parker (18)
Rebounding Leader – James Moore (15)
Assist Leader – Kelvin Robinson (3)
Steals Leader – Jordan Parker / Kelvin Parker / Braylon Steen (2)
 
Up Next:
The Cougars travel to Walnut Ridge, Ark., to face Williams Baptist on Saturday in the regular-season finale. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:00 PM.