ST. LOUIS – Sometimes life really does give you a second chance. This time it was Tony Burk's turn to hit the shot.  With the Columbia Cougars in possession of the ball and the clock winding down in a tied ballgame, everyone in the Petty SRC at Missouri Baptist University knew who would take the last shot. Indeed, it was Burks, as he buried a mid-range jumper with 1.3 seconds left that claimed a 63-61 win for Columbia over the Spartans.
 
Although less dramatic, for those in attendance it was a familiar scene that played out much differently this time around. On the evening of March 1 of this year it was the Spartans, and in particular John Yaeger, who sank a basket just before the buzzer to win the AMC Tournament Championship. But that result wasn't secured until Burks sank a three-point shot that would have won the game and the championship for the Cougars, but was ruled as having occurred too late, after the final horn. This time the Cougars senior from St. Louis left little doubt. He also left very little time for the Spartans to respond. An inbounds pass and a shot at the buzzer never materialized for the Spartans. Burks had a second chance at a different outcome…and he didn't miss.
 
The loss is the first in the American Midwest Conference for MBU after four straight wins to start conference play. Conversely the Cougars kept themselves in the conversation for a regular season championship by improving their record to 3 and 1 in the conference.
 
The game was as tight as you might expect from two of the heavyweights in the AMC. The Spartans got on the board first but it was Columbia who executed better for the most of the first half. The lead only changed twice in the first 20 minutes but for a brief time the Cougars enjoyed a 10-point spread. MBU would battle to regain the lead with just over five minutes remaining in the half, and the Spartans would have a five point lead at half-time.
 
It seemed that a prolonged scoring drought midway through the second half might be the Spartans undoing. Two successful free throws by Spartan senior Tyrell Andrews at the 9:40 mark made it a one point advantage for Columbia at 50-49. However, MBU did not score again for five minutes and 11 seconds, via a layup by Andrews. By that time the Cougars were leading 59-51 with four and half minutes remaining. That layup was the start of an 8-0 run for the Spartans though, and they trailed only 59-57 with 2:39 left. A couple of Burks free throws would extend the lead back to four, but jumpers by seniors Andrews and Brendon Hardy would tie the game at 61. Hardy's shot went down with 18 seconds remaining and set up the last second heroics by Burks.
 
The Spartans were led in scoring by Andrews with 20 points. Hardy was the only other player in double-figures for MBU with 13. Cougars sophomore Collin Parker had a double-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds. Burks also ended the night 17 points, obviously none bigger than the shot to win it at the end.
 
At 4-1 in the conference the Spartans are technically still tied for the top spot with Central Baptist University, with Columbia just behind at 3-1. Interestingly all three of the top teams have beaten each other, with MBU beating CBC, CBC topping Columbia, and the Cougars winning this one over the Spartans. With today's result, Columbia is the only of the three that has not lost at home. There is a lot of basketball left to be played to determine the conference title.
 
The Spartans will enjoy the Christmas holiday before returning to action on December 29, when they will host Briar Cliff University for a 3:30 tip-off.