Koala Men Pull Away to Oust SMC, Win 4th Straight

COLUMBIA, S.C. - The Columbia College men's basketball team rolled to their 4th straight win to begin the new year, defeating rival Spartanburg Methodist College 72-59 from the Godbold Center Wednesday night.

The Koalas got out to a fast start going up 13-4 early before leading 22-11 at the 7-minute mark. CC would then go up 13 points at 29-16 with 3 minutes to play in the half and eventually go into the break up eight at 32-24.

SMC would continue to rally getting to within two points at 44-42 at the 12:30 mark of the second half. The Koalas, though, would then go on a 10-0 run to go back up by 12 at 54-42 at the 9 minute mark. Columbia then extended their lead to their largest of the night at 15 going up 63-48 with 4:30 to play. SMC, would not quit, however, and rallied to get within four points at 63-59 with 2:50 to play finishing out an 11-0 run. 

But that would be the last points the Pioneers would score as CC closed out the game on a 9-0 run to grab the 13-point win and improve to 8-11 overall and 5-5 in the conference moving just a half game back of 6th in the conference standings.

Senior guard Tae Burton led the Koalas with 20 points on 8 of 17 shooting and three 3-pointers, 3 rebounds and an assist while junior wing Chandler O'Bannon notched 17 points and a team-high 8 rebounds, 3 assists, a steal and a block on the night. Columbia shot 41.5% from the floor and 43% from three while holding SMC to just 23% from the outside and 31.5% from the floor.

Also finishing in double-figures was redshirt freshman forward Zach Smith with 10 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks while senior guard Alileyon Ford chipped in 10 points off the bench as well along with 5 rebounds, 3 assists and a steal. Junior guard Austin Harrell played well also recording 8 points, 5 rebounds, and a team-best four assists.

The Koalas will next remain home to host Milligan University on Saturday at 4:30 pm from Columbia.