Burton's Record-Tying Six Threes Not Enough for Koala Men

COLUMBIA, S.C. - The Columbia College men's basketball team used a terrific second half to claw back into the game but fell short in the end dropping their non-conference game to the College of Coastal Georgia 93-82 Friday evening from the Godbold Center.

After going down 54-33 at the break to the hot-shooting Mariners, the Koalas came up hot in the second half scoring nearly 50 points to outscore CCGA 49-39. Columbia shot 48% for the game and 41 percent from three as guards Tae Burton and junior Austin Harrell combined to make 9 of the Koala's 12 threes for the game.

Burton, a senior, finished with a career-high 26 points on 6 of 10 shooting from three to tie a school record with six three-pointers. Burton also had a career-high 8 assists and 6 rebounds while senior forward Nakia Johnson scored a season-best 20 points with 3 blocks.

Guard Norman Haynes also chipped in 10 points with two threes while Harrell finished with 9 points and 6 assists on three treys. Sophomore forward Zach Smith also added 6 points and 3 boards off the bench for CC.

CCGA improves to 2-3 on the year as they shot 52% from three and 53 percent overall while also making 18 of 19 free throws. Columbia trailed by 22 inthe second half but went on a 21-9 run to get to within 9 points but could get no closer.

The Koalas fall to 2-2 on the year and are right back in action on Saturday to complete their season-opening homestand by hosting Southeastern University (FL) at 12:30 pm.