On November 9th, the St. Andrews Knights men’s basketball team faced a tough battle against the Columbia International Rams, ultimately falling short with a final score of 81-58 to kick off AAC play. Although St. Andrews pegged away at the deficit they faced early on, the Rams proved to be a formidable opponent.
The game began with CIU scoring the first points, followed by a quick layup from St. Andrews to match it. The Knights briefly took the lead before CIU regained control with a 3-pointer, ultimately leading to a back-and-forth battle. St. Andrews fought to stay within reach, ultimately falling behind as the Rams closed the first half with a 38-29 lead.
In the second half, St. Andrews made efforts to narrow the gap, but the Rams continued to dominate. Although the Knights showed flashes of strength, they were outscored in the final 10 minutes of the game, ultimately leading to their defeat.
Jalen Mcafee-Marion and Seth Smith put up solid efforts for the Knights, with Mcafee-Marion scoring 11 points off the bench and Smith contributing 10 points, three rebounds, and two steals. Despite their efforts, the Rams emerged victorious, with forward Christian Howard leading the charge with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
From a shooting standpoint, St. Andrews struggled with a 37.7% field goal percentage and only 14.3% from beyond the arc. In contrast, CIU showcased their scoring prowess with a 54.2% field goal percentage and 50% from 3-point range.
Looking ahead, the Knights will face Kentucky Christian in their next AAC contest. Despite the setback, the team remains focused on their upcoming matchups.
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Laura Davis covers the world of basketball with precision. Her articles explore NBA and college basketball, offering game analysis, player profiles, and highlights. Laura’s passion for hoops is evident in her comprehensive basketball coverage.