Claim Jumpers hold off Merced rally

An eight-minute scoring drought and a resurgent Merced College men's basketball team gave Columbia quite a scare on Wednesday.

But the Claim Jumpers held on thanks to clutch points from its Florida transfer students in a 63-58 Central Valley Conference victory.

Columbia (9-9, 3-3 CVC) led by as much as 16 points midway through the second half before missing shots and reeling a bit against a strong Merced rally, coach Nate Rien said.

Trek Fayerweather led Merced (0-4 CVC, 1-3) with 22 points. He hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key under double coverage with 33 seconds remaining to cut the deficit to 59-58.

But Columbia's Davarius Bonney gave the Claim Jumpers (3-2 CVC, 9-9) a cushion with a put-back. Tony Williams (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) and Dillon Turnquest (Hallandale, Fla.) made free throws down the stretch to seal the game.

"This might be the best team I've had since I've been a Columbia," said Rien, now in his ninth year. "Every one of our last 18 games has come down to the last two minutes."

Columbia is on a roll, having won six of its last eight games since the Modesto JC tournament. Merced lost its 11th consecutive game. The Blue Devils last defeated Gavilan 64-48 on Nov. 16.