Koala Men Use Late Run to Defeat Carolina U on NYE

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - The Columbia College men's basketball team used a late-game run to upend NAIA foe Carolina University (NC) 76-73 on the road Wednesday afternoon during a New Year's Eve matinee.

Redshirt freshman forward Zach Smith led the Koalas with a season-high 25 points on 10 of 14 shooting from the field along with five rebounds, 2 assists and a block while fellow junior forward/wing Chandler O'Bannon finished with a double-double of 13 points and 12 rebounds with two blocks.

Columbia rallied from an early first half deficit to take a 41-37 halftime lead as they outscored the Bruins 39-25 after trailing early 12-2. CC also trailed by eight with six minutes to play in the half before ending the first on a 20-8 run.

The Koalas then led by as much as eight in the second half, going up 47-39 at the 16-minute mark. Carolina would eventually rally to take their first lead of the second half at 57-56 at the nine-minute mark. Columbia then trailed by three (63-60) with under four to play before three-pointers from senior guards Tae Burton and Thomas Whitley along with a layup and free throws from Smith put CC up 71-67 as the Koalas hung on for the win.

Whitley finished with 11 points and 2 steals while Burton posted nine points and four rebounds. Junior guard Austin Harrell also finished with five points and four assists while senior guard Alileyon Ford scored 12 points while bringing down eight rebounds and notching two steals off the bench. 

Columbia shot 49 percent overall from the floor and 30.5% from three while Carolina shot just under 46% overall and 31% from three. CC also forced the Bruins into 14 turnovers on the afternoon.

The Koala men improve to 5-11 overall while Carolina drops to 3-10. The Koalas will now return home this Saturday to host Bluefield University at 4:30 pm from Godbold.