Eagles Drop Heartbreaker to Columbia

WALNUT RIDGE, Ark. (2/3/24) – The Williams Baptist University men's basketball team fell to Columbia College by the final score of 77-75 on Saturday afternoon.

Ashton Young led the Eagles with a season high 21 points in the contest, followed close behind by Ben Keton with 19.  Rico Quinton grabbed seven boards to lead the team, and DJ Townsend led in assists with three.

After going into halftime down by eight points, WBU stormed back to tie the game at 55 with 9:27 left to play.  Ashton Young gave the Eagles the lead with a layup, and a Duke Hardin three and two Rico Quinton free throws gave the Eagles a 62-55 lead.

Columbia took a 73-69 lead with 1:12 left to go after two Harrison Vickers free throws.  WBU responded with a deep three-pointer from Ben Keton to cut the lead to one. After two free throws pushed the Cougar lead to three, Ben Keton was fouled on a three-point attempt and sank all three free throws to tie the game at 75 with 20 seconds left.

Columbia scored the game's final basket on an Isaiah Holden layup that left two seconds on the clock. Ashton Young's desperation heave from half court missed the mark, and the Eagles fell 77-75.

As a team, the Eagles shot 40.6 percent from the field and 34.6 percent from three-point range.  WBU won the turnover battle 12-9, and put up 35 bench points.

The game featured seven ties and six lead changes. The Eagles out-scored Columbia 45-39 in the second half.

The loss drops Williams to 10-9 on the year and 2-6 in American Midwest Conference play.  The Eagles will travel to St. Louis, Mo. on Feb. 8 to take on Harris-Stowe State in league play. Tip-off is set for 7:30.