By Taylor Hodges
FHU Sports Information Director
The Lions (14-6, 11-4 AMC) earned a massive win on Saturday when they completed the season sweep over Columbia (16-9, 11-6 AMC), taking them down on their home floor 68-66.
The Lions got out to a quick start, going up 9-1 within the first four minutes of the contest. The Cougars were able to battle back though, keeping things relatively close for the first eight minutes.
FHU would go up by as many as 11 in the period, but Columbia was able to come back and not only make things closer but take a one-point lead heading into halftime.
Columbia maintained their lead for over 10 minutes in the second half, even going up by as many as seven early on in the period. But the Lions rallied and regained the lead with just over seven minutes to go in the game.
The Cougars tied it up shortly after giving up the lead, but a three-point basket by Bryan Battle put the Lions back up top with 5:15 to go, and they would hold that lead until the final buzzer sounded.
With the Lions just up one with under a minute remaining, Konstantin Dotsenko missed a three-point attempt at the end of the shot clock, but Francis Agbata was able to pull down a clutch offensive rebound before getting fouled and knocking down both free throws to extend the lead to three.
The Cougars had two opportunities to tie the game after back-to-back offensive rebounds off of missed three’s before calling a timeout. After another miss, Anthony Yarbrough grabbed a clutch rebound of his own before getting fouled and also knocking down both free throws to make it a five-point game. Desmond Funches hit a deep three as the buzzer sounded, but the game was already over.
Battle led all scorers with 21 points in the game and pulled down eight rebounds.
Dotsenko finished the contest with 15 points, and Yuryk Lazard had 10 to round out the double-digit scorers.
The Lions will be back home tonight, Thursday, Feb 13, when they take on first-place Central Baptist in a massive AMC matchup.
Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.
