Eagles defeat Cougars in first day of Best Western Classic
Friday, November 27, 2009
Columbia, Mo. – The Columbia Cougar men’s basketball team fell to Avila (Mo.) University 75-63 in the first day of the Best Western Classic hosted by Columbia College. The loss moves Columbia, ranked No. 19 in the Preseason NAIA Top 25 Poll, to 3-6 overall. The Eagles improve to 5-2 on the season.
Columbia led the Eagles 31-30 at halftime after seven lead changes. Columbia held an eight point lead with four minutes to go, but did not score and allowed the Eagles to catch up in the final minutes of the half.
The Cougars turned their one point advantage into a seven point advantage minutes into the second frame, but Avila came back yet again and this time it would be for good. Columbia went from leading by seven to trailing by two in under four minutes. Columbia couldn’t seem to catch a break after that, as the Eagles walked away with the victory shooting a blazing 54 percent from the field in the second half.
The Cougars shot 34 percent from the field in the contest, compared to Avila who shot just over 46 percent.
Chad Thompson led Columbia’s scoring effort with 13. Quintin Totta finished with 11 points. Reo Quarles had a game high 15 rebounds.
Alex Marler had 20 points and 13 rebounds for the Eagles.
In the first contest of the evening, Lindenwood (Mo.) University defeated Hannibal-LaGrange (Mo.) College 69-61.
Action continues tomorrow in the two-day Classic in the Arena of Southwell Complex. At 1 p.m., Hannibal-LaGrange will square off against Avila. At 3 p.m., Columbia will face Lindenwood. Following the 3 p.m. contest, the all-classic squad, as well as the event’s most valuable player, will be recognized.