12/13/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
COLUMBIA - The Columbia Eagles could not have been in a very good mood on Friday night when they hosted Cahokia Conference Mississippi Division rival Salem.

Coach Mark Sandstrom and his club were a day removed from a road trip to the University of Missouri for a basketball shootout and a loss to Montgomery County.

It was the first defeat of the season for the Eagles after six consecutive victories to start the campaign.

The Eagles took out their frustrations on the Wildcats.

Senior guard River Randall netted 26-points and 6-8 senior forward scored nine-points to go with seven rebounds as the Eagles rebounded from the tough defeat to roll past Salem, 62-30.

The triumph pushed the Eagles mark to 7-1 overall, 2-0 in the Mississippi Division.

Columbia pulled away from Salem in the second quarter with a 19-4 run where they forced Coach Pete Colclasure's club into a 1-of-9 shooting mark and five turnovers during the period that ended with a 30-13 halftime deficit.

“Our defense is our 'bread and butter' and last night it didn't travel,” said Coach Sandstrom. “Tonight it was fact and that is what I expect every single night. We did a really nice job frustrating them (Salem) while being in the right spot all of the time. I thought we were excellent.”

Senior Micah James added eight-points for the Eagles, who as a team finished a robust 25-of-41 from the field overall, and 6-of-13 from the 3-point line.

Randall was the catalyst for the hosts, hitting 4-of-7 from outside while James added the other two 3-pointers.

“River (Randall) is part of our family. He has been working and working learning our system and tonight was his break out night,” said Coach Sandstrom about Randall, who transferred o Columbia. “He is an extra added weapon for us.”

Six-five junior Brody Landgraf finished with eight-points while senior Hayes van Breusegen scored six for Columbia.

Salem saw its mark fall to 1-7 overall and 0-2 in the league.

None of the Wildcats reached double-figures in scoring as senior Ayden Rose ended up leading the way with nine-points, all of which came in the first half.

Sophomore Kaeden Bevolo scored seven for Salem and senior Noah Nix added four.

As offensively skilled as the Eagles were on Friday night, the defensive end of the floor is where Coach Sandstrom's club glistened.

The Eagles forced a 10-of-34 shooting night for Salem with just 3-of-15 from long-range.

They also forced 18-turnovers, 10 in the opening half as the Wildcats were never able to get anything productive going.

Salem did manage to forge one tie score early, with Rose hitting his first of two 3-point shots to even things at 6-6.

Salem led once, 9-8 after a 3-pointer from sophomore Kaeden Bevolo.

Columbia closed out the quarter with Donald and James both scoring late.

James nailed down a 3-point bomb for a 11-9 lead to close the first quarter.

Seventeen consecutive points from the Eagles to start the second quarter left little doubt of the outcome.

Randall scored three times in the run on a drive to the basket and a fast break which closed the run at 27-9 with 2:28 remaining in the half.

James added another 3-pointer in the scoring streak and Landgraf also scored on an assist from van Breusegen.

Free throws by Donald and senior Logan Bosch made it 30-13 at intermission.

(CONTINUED)

Randall and his teammates put on a show in the third quarter offensively.

Columbia connected on eight-consecutive field goal attempts with Randall hitting a 3-pointer during the stretch which also included scores from van Breusegen and Donald inside.

Randall added three more made 3-pointers during the quarter.

His fourth bomb from the right wing while being fouled closed the quarter at 52-25.

In the eight minute stretch, the Eagles were 9-of-10 from the field with much of the offense coming off of more turnovers by the Wildcats.

“I challenged them in the locker-room to get back to what made us 6-0 prior to last night,” said Coach Sandstrom. “If we can defend like that and get our offensive flow going we will be tough to beat. Our defense creates our offense. That needs to be our identity.”

Two straight fast break scores off of Salem miscues kicked in the mercy rule continuous clock.

Randall on a lay in and Donald on a two-handed dunk made it 56-26 with 6:17 remaining.

“We're really trying to work on our offensive flow. We're not even close to where we want to be yet with all of our guys and all of the experience we have back,” said Coach Sandstrom. “We will get there. We want to be the best basketball team at the end.”

Columbia only allowed one offensive rebound by the Wildcats as they held a 22-13 glass advantage.

The Eagles have a big week upcoming with road games at Roxana (Tuesday) and at Breese Central (Friday) before being part of the Freeburg/Columbia Holiday Tournament.

“We're really trying to work on our offensive flow. We're not even close to where we want to be yet with all of our guys and all of the experience we have back,” said Coach Sandstrom. “We will get there. We want to be the best basketball team at the end.”