Koala Men Rally to Stun Reinhardt in OT on Senior Day

COLUMBIA, S.C. - The Columbia College men's basketball team wrapped up their inaugural season at home on Senior Day Saturday as they rallied to stun 8th seeded Reinhardt University 103-99 in overtime from Porter Gym. 

Koala senior guard Cam Lawson sent the game into overtime after he drilled a buzzer-beating three-pointer at the end of regulation to tie the game at 93. Lawson went on to finish with a season-high 17 points on 5 of 7 shooting along with 5 rebounds and 4 assists. After forcing OT, the Koalas then outscored the Eagles 10-6 in overtime and 55-46 in the second half as they rallied back from a late 9-point deficit.

The Koalas held an early 14-11 lead before the fast-paced Reinhardt Eagles rallied going on a 21-9 run to take a 32-23 lead. RU would then took the same nine-point lead into halftime going up 47-38. Columbia would then climb to within four points at 61-57 midway through the second half before getting to within one point at 71-70 with just under 9 minutes to play. 

RU (12-15, 9-11 AAC) then increased their lead back up to nine at 84-75 with under 4 minutes to play before Columbia ended regulation on an 18-9 run to force OT. CC also trailed by nine at 88-79 with 2:30 to play as well before their 14-5 run that included 7 points from Lawson and 10 points from the Koalas in the final minute alone. CC outscored RU 10-2 over the final 54 seconds!

Senior guard Kendall Brasfield also had a career day recording 28 points on 12 of 18 shooting along with 10 rebounds to record a double-double as well. He also added 2 steals and a block while Columbia put five in double-figures on the night. Also finishing in double digits was senior guard Mac Washington, and junior wings Thomas Whitley and Chandler O'Bannon. Washington had 14 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, a steal and a block while O'Bannon added 16 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double. Whitley posted 13 points with 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals as well.

Junior guard AJ Vaught also finished with 8 points and 7 assists while CC shot 51 percent overall and 26 percent from three. Columbia out-rebounded RU 55-43 while dominating them on the glass all game.

Columbia, led by head coach Jake Deer, finishes their first season with an even .500 record at 14-14 and 7-13 in the AAC to finish in 11th place (out of 14), just one game out of the postseason.