Koala Men Rally in Second Half to Rout Carolina U

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - The Columbia College men's basketball team put together a terrific second half en route to a big 75-54 non-conference win on the road at Carolina University Tuesday evening.

Columbia led 31-28 at halftime before CU began the second half on a 14-6 run to take their biggest lead of the game at 42-37 with 13 minutes to play. However, the Koalas then stepped up their game going on a quick 11-0 spurt to go back up by six at 48-42 with 9:15 to play. CU crawled back to within two points before CC ended the game on a 27-8 run. The Koalas outscored the Bruins 44-26 in the second half.

CC shot nearly 54 percent for the game and 27.8 percent from three while holding CU (1-9) to 33 percent shooting and just 26 percent from three. Columbia outrebounded the Bruins 34-30 while forcing 18 Carolina turnovers. 

The Koalas put five men in double-digit points on the night with junior wing Thomas Whitley leading the charge for the Koalas scoring a season-high 21 points with 6 rebounds and two 3s on 9 of 14 shooting. Senior guard Alvaro Mendez also added 13 points off the bench with 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals while shooting a perfect 6 of 6 from the free-throw line.

Scoring 10 points apiece were junior starting guards Tae Burton and AJ Vaught and junior forward Nakia Johnson with Johnson also adding 7 rebounds, 2 blocks and a steal. Sophomore guard Austin Harrell added 7 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists as well.

The Koalas improve to 7-4 on the season and will next return home to host AAC foe Tennessee Wesleyan on Saturday at 4:00 PM.