March 2, 2008

COLUMBIA, Mo. - The Columbia (Mo.) Cougar basketball team notched its 24th win of the season tonight (March 1), defeating Missouri Baptist University 71-54 in the quarterfinal round of the American Midwest Conference (AMC) postseason tournament.  The Cougars, ranked No. 14 in the latest NAIA top 25 poll, are 24-7 on the season.  Tonight's loss ends Missouri Baptist's season at 6-25.

The Cougars jumped out to an eight point lead to start the game and led 27-19 at the half.  Columbia kept the Spartans to just five field goals in the first half.

Columbia maintained their lead throughout the entire game, pushing it to as many as 19 in the second half.  The Cougars managed to shoot 48 percent in the second twenty minutes and outscore Missouri Baptist 44-35 to post the 71-54 victory.

Four Cougars tallied double figures for Columbia led by Trae Hall with 15 points.  Terrell Turner ended with 11 and Jason Ellis and Christian Lewis finished with 10 a piece.

Usually fans rise to their feet and cheer on the team late in the game, but tonight with just under a minute remaining in the contest fans stood and waved signs from the stands covered with the number 500. With tonight's win over Missouri Baptist, Cougar head coach Bob Burchard reached a milestone at Columbia College.  In 20 seasons as head coach Burchard has amassed 500 wins.

Burchard continues to be the all-time winningest basketball coach at Columbia College with 17 20-win seasons including three 30-win seasons.  With Columbia's 24-7 record this season, Burchard now stands at 500-183, a winning percentage of .732.

Columbia, which is the No. 2 seed in the postseason tournament, will host No. 3 University of Illinois-Springfield in a semifinal contest at 7 p.m. in the Arena of Southwell Complex on Wednesday, March 5. The Prairie Stars defeated William Woods (Mo.) University 82-69 in their quarterfinal match-up. The Cougars defeated the Prairie Stars twice during the regular season.