The Vikings (20-11) shot 32 percent from the field, as opposed to the second-ranked Eagles (25-5) which hit 62 percent of their shots in the second round playoff game which Columbia won 74-48.

After trailing 10-3 early in the game, East Hall battled to as close as 18-13 with a layup from T.D. Teasley with 4:13 left in the first half. J.C. Hampton hit a 3-pointer for the Vikings later in the quarter, cutting Columbia’s lead to 25-19 before the Eagles went on a 7-0 run to close out the first half.

“We knew Columbia was a very good team, but we battled them all night,” East Hall coach Joe Dix said. “The difference was that they finished when they had a chance to score.

“We played hard all night, we just didn’t play well.”

Charles Perry scored a team-high 17 points for the Vikings and Hampton added 15.

In the second half, Columbia opened the game up with a 12-3 run to open the third quarter.  Jerhshon Cobb (16 points) had two quick baskets, which was capped off with a dunk by Jamal Reid off a pass inside by Christopher Grier (17 points).

With the loss, East Hall’s season is now finished.