Koala Men Knock Off Milligan for 5th Straight Win

COLUMBIA, S.C. - The Columbia College men's basketball team put on a three-point clinic on Saturday as they rolled to a 86-69 victory over the visiting Milligan University Buffaloes from a packed Godbold center.

Columbia made 11 threes on the day while shooting over 52% from the arc as the win was the Koala's fifth straight on the season as they are now 5-0 since Dec. 31.

The Koalas shot 46% overall and 80.5% from the free-throw line as they built a 46-40 halftime lead. They then held MU to just 12 percent shooting from three and only 29 points in the second half outscoring them 40-29.

Columbia was led by a season-high 21 points from senior guard Alileyon Ford along with 15 points from junior wing Chandler O'Bannon. O'Bannon also chipped in 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 blocks while senior guard Thomas Whitley posted 9 points with 4 rebounds, 4 assists and a block. Redshirt freshman forward Zach Smith also finished in double figures with 12 points, 7 rebounds and 3 blocks.

Starting guards Tae Burton and Austin Harrell combined for 11 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists on the evening while guard Jordyn McKeen tallied 7 points and 3 assists off the bench including two back-to-back three pointers in the first half to shift momentum in the Koalas' favor. Freshman forward Jamison McKenzie also recorded 8 points and 3 rebounds.

Columbia improves to 6-5 in the conference with their 5th consecutive win and 9-11 overall while dropping Milligan to 4-15 and 2-9 in conference. The Koalas are also now tied for 6th in the league standings.

The team will now have a much-needed week off before remaining at home to host Montreat College on January 24 at 4:30 pm.