Columbia Men Hold Off Bluefield for Second Straight Win

COLUMBIA, S.C. - The Columbia College men's basketball team held off a late rally from Bluefield University to defeat the Rams 76-72 from the Godbold Center Saturday afternoon for their second straight win.

The Koalas improve to 6-11 overall with their second consecutive win and go to 3-5 in the AAC and into a tie for 9th place out of 13 schools.

Both teams struggled to shoot the ball early in the first half until the Koalas pulled away midway through going up 27-18 and would go on to take a 37-24 halftime lead. CC then led by 15 early in the second half and would eventually go up by 11 at 53-42 with 11 minutes to play. Columbia kept their 11-point lead intack over the next five minutes as well leading 59048 with 6 minutes to play.

The Rams would climb to within six points at the 3:45 mark until CC went back up by 10 at 69-59 with 1:40 to play. BU would then make a couple three-pointers and free throws down the stretch to climb all the way to within two points at 74-72 with 15 seconds to go. However, two missed free throws by senior guard Thomas Whitley set up BU with the ball and a chance to tie or win the game. But when BU's point guard drove the into the paint and attempted a layup, he was met with Whitley's massive block as he redeemed himself setting up a pass to Chandler O'Bannon for the dunk and the exclamation point on the win.

CC was led by redshirt freshman Zach Smith's 21 points on 7 of 8 shooting from the floor along with 8 rebounds, 3 assists and two steals. Senior guard Tae Burton also finished in double figure scoring with 14 points, 4 assists and 3 steals while junior wing Chandler O'Bannon notched 11 points with 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals in the win.

Junior starting guard Austin Harrell also added 9 points on three 3-pointers along with two assists and three steals while freshman forward Jamison McKenzie chipped in 8 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists off the bench. Junior shooting guard Norman Haynes recorded six points and a steal as well off the bench.

Bluefield falls to 2-12 overall and 2-6 in the conference.

The Koalas next return to action next Saturday when they head down to Georgia to face off with Reinhardt University at 4:00 pm.