Robert Morris takes down Cougars
Friday, December 11, 2009
Winona Lake, Ind. – The Cougars took a loss in the first day of the Hoops for Hope Grace College Invitational tonight, falling to Robert Morris (Ill.) College by a final score of 81-58. The Cougars fall to 4-8 on the season with tonight’s loss.
The Eagles move to 6-6 on the season after winning four of their previous five contests. The Eagles compete in the Chicagoland Athletic Conference and have appeared in the last six consecutive NAIA Division I National Championships, advancing to the Final Four in the tournament four times in those six years. Robert Morris is receiving eight votes in the first NAIA Top 25 after being the preseason favorite.
Columbia’s 29 percent shooting percentage in the first half put them down 10 at the half. The Cougars had just one lead in the first frame, a lead that didn’t last long as the Eagles shot 43 percent to take the 40-30 advantage.
The Cougars quickly went down 42-30 in the opening minute of the second half, however they were able to go on a run and pull within three at 44-41. That was the last run the Cougars could put together as Robert Morris ran away with the contest in the last 12 minutes, outscoring Columbia 37-17.
Chad Thompson led Columbia with 18 points and six rebounds. Taylor Evans was the only other Cougar in double figures with 15 points on 5-10 shooting. Will Cobb finished with six assists.
Billy Rush led the Eagles with 21 points in the victory.
The Cougars will wrap up their trip to Indiana on Saturday, December 12th when they take on the loser of Grace (Ind.) College and Cornerstone (Mich.) University at 1 p.m.