TWU Rallies in Second Half to Defeat Koala Men

COLUMBIA, S.C. - The Columbia College men's basketball team suffered a tough defeat on Saturday at home as AAC foe Tennessee Wesleyan came back with a strong second half to hand the Koalas their 5th loss of the season 84-62.

The Bulldogs got off to a quick 10-0 start to begin the game forcing a Koala timeout before CC went on a prolonged 28-14 run to take a 28-24 lead with 8:40 to play. The Koalas would then end the half on a 13-10 run to take a 41-34 halftime edge. However, the Bulldogs would come out in the second half on fire to take a 50-49 lead on the Koalas just five minutes into the half. TWU would continue to stretch out their lead as the Koalas could get no closer than 8 points the rest of the way with TWU outscoring CC 50-21 in the second half.

Columbia shot 39.5 % overall and 30 percent from three while TN Wesleyan shot 49 percent overall and nearly 60 percent from three. Junior wing Thomas Whitley led the Koalas with 12 points on the day along with 5 rebounds and a steal while junior shooting guard Tae Burton added 10 points with 4 rebounds, 2 assists and two 3-pointers. They were the only Koalas in double figures.

Playing well defensively was junior forward Nakia Johnson as he had 5 blocks and 3 rebounds with 7 points and a steal while junior forward Chandler O'Bannon led the team with 9 rebounds and 4 assists along with 7 points and 3 blocks. Sophomore Guards Austin Harrell and AJ Vaught also combined for 16 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists on the day. Senior guards Kendall Brasfield and Alvaro Mendez also totaled 10 points altogether off the bench along with 5 rebounds and 3 assists from Brasfield.

Columbia falls to 7-5 overall and 2-4 in the AAC while TWU improved to 4-6 overall and 2-3 in conference. The Koalas will next finish out the semester on the road with three games next week. They first travel up the road to Greenville to take on Bob Jones University on Tuesday at 7 pm before facing D1 Presbyterian College on Wednesday at Noon.