Men’s Basketball Drops Road Game

St. Louis, Mo. – The Columbia College men’s basketball team saw their season-long six-game win-streak come to an end at the hands of Missouri Baptist Saturday night. The Spartans defeated the Cougars, 63-57. 
 
The game’s first eight minutes were back-and-forth as neither team held a lead larger than three. Collin Parker knocked down a field goal with 11:35 remaining to give CC their largest lead of the first half, 16-11. The two teams would match each other the rest of the half as Missouri Baptist led 32-31 at the intermission. 
 
Missouri Baptist started the second half on a 7-3 run and took a 39-35 lead with 16:48. Chima Oduocha drained a pair of three throws to get Columbia within three points, 39-36. Both defenses came alive as neither team scored for the next five-plus minutes. Tony Burks ended the offensive drought with a layup bringing Columbia to within one point (39-38). The Cougars kept the pressure on and tied the game at 42-42 with 9:30 remaining, but ultimately fell to the Spartans, 63-57. 
 
Key Moment:
A three-point from Tony Burks got Columbia within two points (53-51) with 2:15 left, but Missouri Baptist responded with a 6-0 run. 
 
By the Numbers:
8 – Eight different players scored for Columbia. 
20 – Columbia had 20 points in the paint.
46-39 – Missouri Baptist won the rebound battle.
 
Columbia Leaders:
Scoring Leader – Tony Burks (17)
Rebounding Leader – Chima Oduocha (8)
Assist Leader – Trendon Tisdale / Dogukan Kara (2)
Steals Leader – Tony Burks (3)
 
Missouri Baptist Leaders:
Scoring Leader – RJ Pair (19)
Rebounding Leader – John Yaeger (11)
Assist Leader – Tyrell Andrews (2)
Steals Leader – River Reed / John Yaeger (2)
 
Up Next:
Columbia heads to Hannibal, Mo. to take on Hannibal-LaGrange on Thursday, Feb. 10 at 7:30 PM.