Brookland- Cayce guard Oneal Jones cuts through the Columbia defense. After a very slow start Tuesday, December 2, the Brookland- Cayce Bearcats (1- 0) emerged from Columbia (0- 1) with a 50- 42 win over the Capitals on the strength of a late third quarter run and free throw shooting down the stretch. Oneal Jones led the Bearcats with 14 points and Mike Passmore's eight points all came from the line in the fourth quarter. Tabias Lemon led the Capitals with eight.

Both teams used man- to- man defense in the first quarter, but it was the sloppiness of each team that contributed to the low scoring output. Jones and Jonathan Rumph combined for eight of B- C's nine points, while the Capitals could only muster six.

In the second, the Bearcats employed a 1- 3- 1 defense, forcing the Capitals to shoot more outside shots. The plan worked and B- C extended its narrow lead early in the quarter. However, several transition opportunities brought Columbia back to an 18- 14 half time deficit.

Near the end of the third, the Capitals used two three- pointers to power an eight- point run and take a 26- 23 lead. Jones responded for B- C knocking down a long jumper of his own and adding another bucket to retake the lead after three, 28- 26.

B- C's Jonathon Rumph plays tight defense against Columbia's Nick Springs. Each team finally found a shooting touch in the fourth quarter giving the game some exciting moments down the stretch. The eight free throws by Passmore provided the game's final margin and an early season away win for B- C.