Columbia Men Drop AAC matchup at Milligan

MU got off to a 23-13 lead over the opening 10 minutes before CC cut it to four at 25-21 at the 6:30 minute mark. The Koalas then climbed to within two at 27-25 with 5 minutes to play but the Buffaloes stormed ahead to take a 36-26 halftime edge. 

In the second half, the Koalas could not get any closer than 9 points at 61-52 when they finished off an 11-0 run at the 8 minute mark.

Columbia was led by four Koalas finishing in double-figure points as junior forwards Chandler O'Bannon and Nakia Johnson combined for 25 points, 3 blocks, and 21 rebounds as each recorded double-doubles in the loss. O'Bannon had 13 points, 10 rebounds and 2 blocks while Johnson posted 12 points, 11 rebounds, 2 steals and a block.

Also scoring double-digit points were guards, senior Kendall Brasfield and junior Thomas Whitley combining for 24 points, 6 boards, and 4 steals. Whitley had 11 points and 5 rebounds while Brasfield had 13 points and 2 steals. Junior PG, AJ Vaught scored 9 points with 6 assists and 2 steals as well. Guard Tae Burton also tallied 6 points, 4 reouns, 2 assts and a steal off the bench. 

Columbia shot 35.5% overall but just 4 of 15 from deep (27%) while notching 11 steals off 14 Milligan turnovers.

CC falls to 6-2 overall and 2-1 in the AAC while MU improves to 6-2 and 2-1 as well. The Koalas now return home Saturday to host Bryan College in a 4:15 pm tip.