Koala Men Drop Heartbreaker at home to Reinhardt

COLUMBIA, S.C. - The Columbia College men's basketball team dropped a 71-68 heartbreaker at home to AAC foe Reinhardt University from Columbia Saturday evening.

A back-and-forth first half saw the Koalas lead by four early before the teams went into the break tied at 35 apiece. The Koalas then got off to a great start in the second half going on a 12-3 run to go up by nine at just under the 16 minute mark. RU, though, then went on a 19-7 run to go up by three at 57-54 with 8 minutes to play. The Koalas would take back the lead for the final time at 65-63 with under four minutes to play, but would go cold down the stretch as they fell to the Eagles.

The Koalas shot 37 percent from the floor and 26 percent from three while knocking down 15 free throws (71%). RU shot 34 percent overall and 23.5% from three, but the difference came at the free throw line as they made 33 of 43 freebies on 25 Columbia fouls.  

Columbia was led by another stellar game from freshman Jamison McKenzie as he recorded another double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds off the bench while sophomore forward Zach Smith also finished with 13 points and 8 rebounds with each recording a steal as well.

Senior guard Tae Burton totaled 15 points on 4 of 10 shooting from three along with 2 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals while junior point guard Austin Harrell led with 10 assists along with five points, three rebounds, and a steal.

Junior wing Chandler O'Bannon and senior wing Thomas Whitley combined for 17 points and 11 rebounds with O'Bannon also chipping in 2 assists, 2 steals and a block.

The Koalas fall to 3-10 overall and 1-4 in the conference while Reinhardt improves to 4-8 and 4-2 in the league. 

Columbia will next go on the road to Georgia to face Truett McConnell on Wednesday evening at 7:30 pm.