Koala Men's Rally Not Enough in Loss to Point

COLUMBIA, S.C. - The Columbia College men's basketball team put together a nice rally in the second half, but could not outscore the offense of Point University (Ga.) in falling 92-84 in their third straight home game to open the season.

The Koalas jumped out to a 35-25 lead midway through the first half which was their biggest lead of the game. However, Point (2-0) did not go away as they went on to finish the half on a 15-3 run to take a 2-point lead into the break leading 40-38. 

In the second half, the Koalas would tie the game early on before Point went on a run to extend their lead to 13 at 55-42 with 14 minutes to play. The Skyhawks would then hold their largest lead of the game at 17 points going up 70-53 with under nine minutes to play before CC went on a run of their own. The Koalas would climb back to get to within five points at 81-76 with just 2:40 to play to finish off their 23-11 run. PU would then push it back out to nine points again before Norman Haynes made his third three to pull CC to within six with 90 seconds to go. However, that would be as close as CC would get down the stretch.

Point shot over 44% for the game and 40 percent from three while Columbia shot 42% overall, but just 31 percent from long range. The rebounding margin was very close as well with Point holding the advantage at 43-42.

Junior guard Norman "Zoomy" Haynes led the Koalas with 12 points and three 3-pointers off the bench along with two rebounds and two assists while freshman forward Jamison McKenzie also posted 10 points and a team-best eight rebounds off the bench. Senior guard Alileyon Ford and sophomore forward Zach Smith each chipped in 7 points apiece off the bench while combining for 8 rebounds and 3 assists.

Also finishing in double-digit scoring was junior forward Chandler O'Bannon and senior guard Tae Burton with 10 and 11 points each. They combined for nine rebounds and 4 assists with O'Bannon adding a steal and a block as well. Senior wing Thomas Whitley also scored 8 points with 3 boards, 2 assists, and two blocks while junior guard Austin Harrell had 7 points and 3 assists.

Columbia falls to 2-1 on the season and will next be in action on Friday when they remain home to host Coastal Georgia at 7:30 pm.