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By: Stephen Williams

AUGUSTA, Ga. – Looking to set its longest road winning streak of the NCAA era, the 21^st-ranked Columbus State University men's basketball team fell 81-77 at Augusta on Saturday. The Peach Belt Conference contest was played at Christenberry Fieldhouse in Augusta, Ga.
 
Brent Jackson led four Cougars in double figures with 17 points on the day. Brentine Taylor finished with 15 points and seven rebounds, while JaCori Payne added 13. Cam Baker put in 10 of his own, but played just 21 minutes saddled with foul trouble.
 
"We just didn't make enough plays down the stretch," said head coach Robert Moore. "We did a good job to come back in the second half, but Augusta was better in the final minutes."
 
Despite shooting nearly 50 percent over the first 20 minutes, Columbus State (12-3, 6-2 PBC) found itself down 47-41 at halftime. Augusta put together a pristine first half, shooting 56.3 percent (18-of-32) from the field and knocking down 4-of-5 three-pointers.
 
The Jaguars spread their lead out as wide as eight and held a seven-point edge with 13 minutes remaining in the game.
 
Jackson canned a big three for the Cougars sparking a 10-0 run the put CSU ahead for the first time in the second half. Payne tied the game after recording a block and a layup, and then put Columbus State in front with an acrobatic three-point play.
 
Two minutes later, it was Payne that struck again, this time knocking down a three to give the Cougars a six-point lead (67-61) with 7:32 to play.
 
Augusta (9-6, 5-3) answered with five straight points to pull within one, but Arben Camaj hit his only long ball of the day to give CSU a small cushion.
 
Columbus State held onto the lead until the clock rolled under the two-minute mark. The Jaguars tied the game at 73 after splitting a pair at the free throw line. After a miss on the second attempt, Payne drew a foul on the offensive end with 1:13 on the clock. The sophomore made 1-of-2 to give CSU the slim lead, but it would be short lived as Augusta buried a three to seesaw back in front.
 
The Cougars had an opportunity to tie or take the lead in the final minute, but a three-point attempt was off the mark. Augusta would then go on to close the game out going 5-of-6 from the free throw line down the stretch.
 
Columbus State struggled from the field in the second half and finished the day at just 43.6 percent (24-of-55) shooting. The Cougars made 8-of-25 (32 percent) from three, but were a strong 72.4 percent (21-of-29) from the free throw line.
 
After the hot shooting first half, Augusta made just five second half field goals to end the day at 42.6 percent (23-for-54). The Jaguars made up for it by going 20-of-25 at the stripe over the last 20 minutes. Augusta was 27-of-35 (77.1 percent) for the game.
 
The Jaguars also controlled the glass, outrebounding the Cougars 48-24.
 
Columbus State will return to action on Tuesday, Jan. 19 with a home contest against Lander. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in the Lumpkin Center.