Columbia Men Prepare for First Clash with University of Pikeville Bears

COLUMBIA, SC - The Columbia College men's basketball team is set to face the University of Pikeville (Ky.) Bears in a highly anticipated AAC matchup on Saturday, January 4 at 4:00 pm. This matchup marks the first meeting between the two teams, setting the stage for a budding rivalry in AAC basketball.

The Koalas, under the guidance of head coach Jake Deer, currently hold a respectable 9-5 record but are just 2-4 in conference. As CC prepares to host the Bears at their first home game inside the Godbold Center in over a month, following the winter break, the team looks to leverage their home court advantage. Their key players, junior Nakia Johnson at forward averaging 10.5 points and 7.6 rebounds/game, and junior Thomas Whitley on the wing, averaging nearly 11 pts/game and 6.4 reb/game while shooting a team-best 38% from three, are crucial for Columbia's strategy to outmaneuver the Bears' robust defense.

Facing them are the Bears from the University of Pikeville, who boast an impressive 13-3 record overall and 6-2 in the conference, under the leadership of head coach Tigh Compton. Key players for the Bears include Bradley Bunch, a formidable force at forward averaging nearly a double-double of 19 points and 9 rebounds, and LA Walker, a skilled guard averaging 15 points, are expected to pose a significant challenge for the Koalas.

Even as this matchup is the first game after the winter break for Columbia, Pikeville also recently has not played in two weeks as they are coming off a 79-74 loss at WV Tech on Dec. 19. The Koalas last toppled SMC 83-79 back on Dec. 14.