Eutectics nearly climb all the way back from early hole against Columbia

COLUMBIA, MO – The Eutectics went to Columbia trying to extend a modest win streak to three. Instead, the Cougars beat UHSP for the 11^th consecutive time improving to 21-2 all-time against the Eutectics with a 72-60 win. The Cougars led by 20 at the break holding UHSP to just 18 first half points. Bryant Odunayo led all scorers with 15 points off the bench for UHSP, but Johnny Anderson had a double-double for Columbia with 14 points and 13 rebounds in the win.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS:

COLUMBIA 72, UHSP 60

• Better than midway through the first half, Columbia jumped out to a 28-6 lead. The Cougars shot 50% in the first half going 14-of-28 including 8-of-17 from beyond the arc. UHSP went 6-of-28 (21.4%) in the half making 5-of-17 from deep. It was 38-18 at the half in favor of Columbia.
• UHSP opened the second half by running off the first 13 points to cut the margin to single digits at 38-31 after a Landon Engelage layup with 15:55 left. Just over a minute later, a David Moore layup made it a two-possession game at 41-35. It was a five-point game with 3:26 remaining after Bryant Odunayo nailed a three to make it 58-53. Columbia finished the game on a 14-7 run to hold on for the win. As poorly as UHSP shot in the first half, they were as electric in the second half shooting 60.7% (17-of-28). Columbia shot 37.1% (13-of-35) in the second half.
• CC edged UHSP on the glass 40-33.
• The Eutectics played just seven players with six of the seven getting in the scoring column.
• Brennen Walker had 13 points, seven boards and six blocks. Six blocked shots tie for sixth all-time for most blocks in a single game in UHSP history.
• Max Rieger came off the Columbia bench to add 14 points.

NEXT UP:

UHSP (5-19, 2-9 AMC) has three games left in the regular season with their next contest being a road trip to Hannibal-LaGrange (15-7, 9-2 AMC) on Thursday at 7:30p.