Koala Men Use Big First Half to Hold Off Johnson

COLUMBIA, S.C. - The Columbia College Men's Basketball team used a big first half to build a 15-point lead and hold off the hard-charging Royals of Johnson University (TN) 78-74 from the Godbold Center Wednesday evening.

The Koalas' big win over the 2nd place team from the conference improves them to 9-7 on the AAC continuing a school record for conference wins while going to 12-13 overall and putting CC just a half game behind TWU for 4th in the conference standings.

The senior guard duo of point guard Tae Burton and shooting guard Alileyon Ford combined for 38 points with each scoring 19 apiece while combining for five three-pointers to help CC pull the upset. Burton also added 6 assists, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals while going 3 of 8 from behind-the-arc with Ford also adding 11 made free throws.

Junior wing Chandler O'Bannon also finished with a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds with five assists and a steal while redshirt freshman forward Zach Smith posted 11 points and 8 rebounds as well. The final Koala to finish in double figure points was junior guard Austin Harrell with 10 points, 3 assists and a steal.

Columbia's terrific first half included the team shooting 52 percent overall on offense and holding JU to 0 for 11 from three to take a 39-24 lead into the locker room. However, JU then put together a quality second half scoring 50 points on 62 percent shooting and outscoring the Koalas 50-39. However, CC's quality free-throw shooting down the stretch (nearly 81% overall) and 48% shooting from the floor led CC to hang on for the win. 

CC's biggest lead of the second half was going up by 13 at the 10-minute mark (58-45) while they still held a double-digit lead at the 7-minute mark (64-54). However, JU then went on a 14-7 run to get to within three points at 71-68 with two minutes to play, but Columbia held them off for the huge win. Johnson fell to 12-12 overall and 11-5 in the AAC to remain in second place, just two games ahead of the Koalas.

Columbia will next remain home to host Union Commonwealth U. (KY) on Saturday for Senior Day at 4:30 pm.