Posted: Jan 30, 2026
Columbia Men Oust Bryan on Overtime Buzzer-Beater
Columbia (SC)
(11-12, 8-6)
81
Bryan (TN)
(9-12, 7-7)
79
| Final | 1 | 2 | OT | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Columbia (SC) (11-12, 8-6) | 30 | 37 | 14 | 81 |
|
Bryan (TN) (9-12, 7-7) | 28 | 39 | 12 | 79 |
DAYTON, Tenn. - The Columbia College men's basketball team used a career 30-point night from senior guard Alileyon Ford, pictured, and his buzzer-beating three-pointer in overtime to knock off AAC foe Bryan College (TN) 81-79 on the road Friday evening.
The Koalas led 30-28 at the halftime break before Bryan led 67-63 with 30 seconds to play. Columbia then used a 4-point burst to push the game into overtime on four free throws from Ford. Bryan then went on a 12-7 run in overtime to take a 79-74 lead with 30 seconds to go. However, two back-to-back threes from Ford clinched the comeback win for the second year Koala program.
With the win, Columbia improved to 8-6 in the AAC and set a new school record for conference wins (8). They are also 11-12 overall and tied for 5th in the league.
CC shot 43.5% overall and 25 percent from three while going 9 of 11 from the free-throw line. Ford shot 10 of 18 overall and 4 of 10 from deep for a season-high of 30 points along with 9 rebounds and five steals. Freshman forward Jamison McKenzie also had a terrific night scoring 20 points on 10 of 16 shooting along with 4 rebounds and 4 assists.
Bryan shot 54% overall and 34.5 percent from three as they fell to 7-7 in conference and 9-12 overall.
Also playing well for the Koalas was senior guard Thomas Whitley as he recorded 11 points with three 3-pointers, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and two blocks while junior forward Chandler O'Bannon had six points, 4 assists and 3 rebounds.
The men will now get a much-deserved week off before heading back on the road to face Pikeville University in Kentucky next Saturday, Feb. 7.
Ali Ford pictured below against Milligan...
