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By: Josh Fuller

SAVANNAH, Ga. – A game-tying attempt at the buzzer hit off the back rim securing a 78-75 Columbus State victory over Armstrong State Monday night. The Peach Belt Conference game took place in Alumni Arena in Savannah, Ga.
 
The 22^nd-ranked Cougars held a 76-75 lead over the Pirates entering the final minute of the game. From there, Armstrong had three chances to either tie or take the lead, but fell short each time. Ethan Mackey had the first chance to tie the game trying to complete a three-point play, but the shot clanged off the rim. The Pirates kept the possession alive with an offensive rebound before Nicholas Scott was off on a three-point attempt.
 
The Cougars would miss on a shot attempt after grabbing the defensive board setting up another chance for Armstrong.
 
On the ensuing possession, Shaquiell Mitchell missed the go-ahead attempt and Cam Baker grabbed the rebound with just five seconds remaining in the game.
 
Baker would hit both free throws after being fouled to make it a 78-75 game.
 
With one last chance, Mitchell's last-second attempt was off the mark giving CSU the victory.
 
The win was Columbus State's (10-1, 4-0 PBC) fourth in a row to move to a perfect 4-0 inside the PBC. It's the first time that the Cougars have won their first four conference games in over a decade.
 
"I'm glad we got the victory tonight on the road," said CSU head coach Robert Moore. "I thought we were a step slow, but we found a way to win which is good to see.
 
"Brent Jackson hit some big shots late in the game that helped us get the win. One of the things I love about this team is that it's a different player every night."
 
Jackson led the way for the Cougars on Monday scoring a game-high 23 points after going 8-for-13 from the floor, including a 5-for-8 performance from beyond the arc. He also grabbed seven rebounds.
 
Baker had his fifth 20-point outing of the season adding 21, four rebounds and three assists.
 
Brentine Taylor was 9-for-11 from the floor, scoring 19 points while collecting nine rebounds. Arben Camaj had 11 for the Cougars.
 
The first half was tight with neither side holding a lead larger than five. ­In a 9-9 game, the Pirates scored five straight points to jump ahead 14-9 with 13:19 on the clock. Scott hit a three-pointer to give Armstrong its largest lead of the game.
 
However, the Cougars responded going on an 8-0 run to go-ahead 17-14. Four different players scored in the spurt.
 
Late in the half, Jackson got his shot going nailing a three to give CSU a 34-31 lead with 2:57 to go. In the closing seconds, Armstrong got a three to pull within two of the Cougars, but Jackson answered with a three ball of his own to give Columbus State a 39-34 halftime lead.
 
Coming out of the break, Taylor hit a jumper making it a 41-34 game before the Pirates rattled off nine straight points to retake a 45-43 lead at the 16:47 mark.
 
Armstrong (4-7, 2-2) continued to battle and eventually took a four-point lead (51-47) with just over 14 minutes to play in the game.
 
Baker then took over the game for the Cougars. The senior scored nine of CSU's next 11 points to help the Cougars regain the lead.
 
The Pirates answered and the Cougars were facing a one-point deficit with just under 12 minutes to play. Baker again stepped up, nailing a three to put CSU ahead 58-56.
 
Armstrong was never able to regain the lead from there, tying the game once and pulling within one three times before falling.
 
Columbus State shot 51.7 percent (30-for-58) while going 7-for-20 (35 percent) from three. At the line, CSU was nearly perfect going 11-for-12.
 
Armstrong State was led by Shaquiell Mitchell and Shema Sabiti, who scored 19 and 15 points, respectively. Mitchell had a double-double with a game-high 10 rebounds.
 
As a team, the Pirates shot 39.7 percent (29-for-73) and just 27.3 percent (9-for-33) from three. Armstrong outrebounded the Cougars 38-36, but had 20 offensive rebounds resulting in 28 second chance points.
 
Columbus State will return home to take on Georgia Southwestern on Wednesday, Jan. 6. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. inside the Lumpkin Center.