Koala Men Hold on to Defeat St. Andrews

LAURINBURG, N.C. - The Columbia College men's basketball held on to defeat conference rival St. Andrews University 72-68 on the road Wednesday night in NC.

The Koalas got off to a fast start leading 11-2 after the first few minutes before SAU triummed the deficit to two points going on a 25-18 run to get to within 29-27. But the Koalas closed the half with a fury endng it on a 23-6 run to take a 52-33 lead into the break.

Columbia kept a solid lead through the first 10 minutes of the second half as they were up 59-42 with 11 minutes to play. However, SAU then began their run going on a 15-5 run to climb within 7 points of the Koalas at 64-57 with under five to play. The Knights then got to within two points at 68-66 with two minutes to play. However, free throws from Brasfield and a big dunk from Whitley sealed the win for the Koalas.

Columbia was led by 15 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals and a block from junior wing Thomas Whitley along with 10 points, 2 assists, and 2 steals from senior guard Kendall Brasfield. Defensively, Nakia Johnson played well just missing a double-double with 9 points and 11 rebounds along with four blocks.

CC shot 49 percent overall and 33% from three while SAU shot just 32% and only 18 percent from deep.

Senior guard Cam Lawson also played well off the bench scoring 11 points with 2 assists and five big free throws down the stretch. Guards AJ Vaught and senior Mac Washington combined for 15 points and 10 rebounds along with 4 assists and a steal from Vaught and a block from Washington. Shooting guards Alvaro Mendez and Austin Harrell also combined to score 10 points as well.

The men improve to an impressive 13-11 overall in their inagural season with their 4th in the past 6 games while remaining in 10th place and the final playoff berth at 6-10 in the AAC.

The Koalas will next head to Knoxville, TN on Saturday to battle Johnson University in a 4 pm tip.