By James A. Ellis
LOUDONVILLE — The Amsterdam Rams checked another of their preseason goals off the list.
The top-seeded Rams defeated No. 8 Columbia 60-45 to advance to the final four of the Section II Class A postseason tournament Sunday at the UHY Center on the campus of Siena College.
“We are going back to Glens Falls. That is where we wanted to be", Amsterdam coach Tim Jones said, "It has been a tiring time off. We are advancing and doing the right things. We are just appreciative of being able to play Lansingburgh next for a shot at the title."
The Rams will face fourth-seeded Lansingburgh in a Class A semifinal Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Cool Insuring Arena in Glens Falls.
Despite a two-week layoff since their last game, the Rams came out shooting and put up a 9-0 run to open the game and roll to a 15-8 lead at the end of the opening quarter.
Amsterdam kept the momentum on its side, stretching its advantage to 13 points, 23-10, just under three minutes into the second quarter. The Blue Devils cut the lead down to seven, 23-16, with 3:45 left in the half before the Rams took their lead back into double-digits for a 30-20 halftime advantage.
Amsterdam remained in control of the pace in the second half
With Alec Bartone, Ceasar Thompson and JaShean Vann doing the bulk of the scoring in the second half to close out the 60-45 victory.
Bartone led the Rams with his double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds to go with five blocked shots, while Thompson finished with 15 points and Vann added 14 points, eight rebounds and six assists to go with 13 points and three assists from Jhai Vellon.
Evan Rainville led Columbia with is game-high 25 points, while Peyton Walters added a double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Amsterdam 60, Columbia 45
Columbia 8 12 11 14 — 45
Amsterdam 15 15 15 15 — 60
Columbia scoring: Walters 5-2-12, Rainville 9-6-25, Fisher-Layoton 2-0-4, Thorpe 0-2-2, Blake 1-0-2. Amsterdam scoring: Vann 5-4-14, Dueno 1-0-2, Thompson 7-0-15, Vellon 4-5-13, Bartone 8-0-16. Team scoring totals: Columbia: 17-10-45. Amsterdam: 25-9-60.
