Second Half Surge Propels Columbia Men to Big AAC Win

CLEVELAND, Ga. - The Columbia College Men's Basketball team used a big run in the second half to hold off Truett McConnell University (Ga.) 71-64 on the road Wednesday evening in Georgia.

The Koalas got off to a good start and went on to take a 6-point halftime lead at 38-32 over the Bears. In the second half, CC pushed their lead all the way out to 16 at 64-48 at the 8-minute mark. However, TMU would not go away going on a 14-2 run over the next six minutes to trim CC's lead down to four with just two minutes to play. But Columbia would not be deterred ending the game on a 5-2 run to clinch their fourth win.

Columbia shot an impressive 47 percent overall and 44.5% from three knocking down 8 treys while going 11 of 15 from the free-throw line. TMU was held to just five threes and only 22.5% from distance while making just nine free throws in the loss. CC also grabbed seven steals off 16 Bear turnovers while committing only 10 turnovers themselves.

Leading the Koalas was redshirt freshman forward Zach Smith as he scored a career-high 17 points with 7 rebounds and a block while senior wing Chandler O'Bannon added 15 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and a steal. Senior guards Thomas Whitley and Tae Burton also combined for 25 points as well with Whitley adding 3 rebounds, three 3-pointers and an assist and Burton recording 12 points, 4 assists and a steal.

Senior guard Alileyon Ford also added six points and an assist off the bench while starting junior point guard Austin Harrell also posted six points with 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals.

The Koalas improve to 4-10 overall and 2-4 in the conference and into a tie for 10th but just one game back of a tie for 5th in the bunched-up conference standings. Truett falls to 3-3 in the conference and 5-6 overall.

Columbia will next return home on Saturday to host Bryan College (TN) at 4:30 PM.