July 19, 2012

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CSUCougars.com is reliving the top 10 moments of the 2011-12 academic year as the summer nears its end. At No. 2 is the men's basketball team’s double-overtime victory against USC Aiken in the Peach Belt Conference Tournament which propelled them into the NCAA Tournament.

Peterson's Heroics Send Columbus State to PBC Tournament Championship Game

Columbus – The Columbus State University men's basketball program has been waiting for this day for the past five years. Steve Peterson connected on a running jumper with three seconds remaining in the second overtime period that lifted CSU to a 75-74 victory over USC Aiken and advanced the Cougars to their first Peach Belt Conference Tournament Championship game since 2005. 

That year, the Cougars won the title over USC Upstate 93-81. 

Peterson, a Columbus native, also had a game-tying three-pointer with 16 seconds left in the first overtime period that gave the Cougars new life. 

The win also snapped a seven-game losing streak to USC Aiken dating back to the 2007 season when they defeated the Pacers in the PBC Tournament. 

The Cougars have now won their past 13 overtime games. It was CSU's first double-overtime victory since February 3, 2007 when they took down Georgia College 104-103. Columbus State defeated Lander Friday night in overtime to advance to the semifinals. 

The first half was rocky for both teams as the Cougars took a 26-24 advantage into the break. In the half, CSU made just six field goals which was a season low for a half. 

USC Aiken had a seven point lead at the 8:52 mark in the first half before the Cougars went on a 9-2 run to tie the game at 17-all with 5:30 showing on the clock. 

The Pacers then took a 22-19 lead on a Terrance Dent three-pointer with 2:23 left in the opening frame but Idell Bell responded for CSU knotting the game up at 22 with just 1:56 to play. Darius Mcknight scored the final two buckets in the first half for the Cougars before Re'Mon Nelson had a breakaway layup at the buzzer to bring Aiken to within two, 26-24 at the break. 

The two sides would continue to battle to open the second half of action before the Cougars jumped out to a 49-42 lead with 9:29 left in regulation. 

However, USC Aiken battled back scoring six out of the next seven points to get to within one of the Cougars (51-50) with 3:54 remaining in regulation. 

With the Pacers down by three with 2:23 showing on the clock, Nelson knocked down a clutch three to tie the game at 55. On the next USCA possession, Maurice Hubbard nailed a jumper to give the Pacers a 57-55 lead with under a minute and a half to go. 

Winford Ivey drew a foul for CSU with just over a minute left to play and calmly connected on both free throws tying the game and forcing overtime. 

In the first overtime period, USC Aiken took a three-point lead on a Sterling Council jump shot with 1:26 showing on the clock. 

After the Pacers missed key free throws allowing CSU to stay alive, Paul Darkwa drew a foul but went 0-for-2 at the line. However, Darius Mcknight, who leads the PBC in offensive rebounds with 100, grabbed the board allowing the Cougars to call a timeout and regroup. 

Peterson received the inbound pass and connected on an acrobatic three-pointer to tie the game at 64 with 16 seconds left. A last second heave by the Pacers was unsuccessful. 

The two teams continued exchanging blows in the second overtime frame. Peterson hit yet another clutch three to tie the game at 69 with 2:01 left and a Johnathan Murphy layup gave CSU a two point advantage with 1:17 showing on the clock. 

The Pacers responded once again this time taking a 74-71 lead with 35 seconds left in the game. Re'Mon Nelson capped off a three-point play by connecting on a free throw attempt. 

On the next possession, a  Peterson three was long but Mcknight grabbed another key offensive rebound and drew contact as he went to the line and calmly made both attempts to get the Cougars within one, 74-73, with 17 seconds left. 

Playing great defense in the backcourt, the Cougars were able to force Sterling Council to step out-of-bounds giving CSU the ball with 6.7 seconds remaining. 

Like he has throughout his basketball career, Steve Peterson put his team on his back as he drove to the lane and made a floating jumper to lift the Cougars to the victory. 

Four Cougar players scored in double figures led by Idell Bell's 16 points. Steve Peterson had 14 while Jarmarquis Steverson and Darius Mcknight scored 13 and 12 points, respectively. 

Mcknight recorded his second consecutive double-double as he brought down 14 rebounds. In the first two tournament games, Mcknight is averaging 18.5 points and 14.0 rebounds. 

Re'Mon Nelson scored a game high 18 points while making 7-of-18 shot attempts. Sterling Council also netted in 17 for the Pacers.

Watch Steve Peterson's game-winning shot here.