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By: Josh Fuller

COLUMBUS – In search of the best start in program history in over two decades, the 25th-ranked Columbus State University men's basketball team will open up Peach Belt Conference play against Flagler Saturday. Tipoff is set for 3:30 p.m. inside Flagler Gymnasium in St. Augustine, Fla.
 
Last Time Out
 
The Cougars cruised to a 109-69 victory over Fort Valley State on Monday inside the Lumpkin Center. In all, seven players scored in double figures led by JaCori Payne's 22. Marcus Dixon had a monstrous double-double with 12 points and 17 rebounds. It was the first time this season that CSU has crossed the 100-point mark in a game.
 
Series History
 
Saturday's meeting will be just the eighth all-time between CSU and FC since the Saints joined the PBC for the 2009-10 season. CSU holds a 6-1 series advantage and has won the previous six matchups. The Cougars have defeated the Saints by double figures in each of the last three meetings.
 
Last Meeting
 
Flagler raced out to an early lead, but it wasn't enough as Columbus State defeated Flagler 84-72 on January 27 in Columbus. Cam Baker and Brent Jackson exploded for the Cougars each going for 24 points, while Baker was an assist shy of a double-double. Payne had 14 for the Cougars.
 
Moore on Matchup
 
"It's exciting to begin conference play," stated Moore. "The Peach Belt is always competitive no matter who you play, especially on the road. Flagler has gotten off to a fast start this year and they will be looking to knock us off in their own building."
 
About Flagler
 
Flagler is currently 5-1 and on a five-game winning streak after bouncing back from a season-opening loss to Paine.
 
The Saints have played all six games this year inside Flagler Gymnasium. FC will only play one game on the road before the calendar turns to 2017.
 
All five starters for the Saints are averaging over 11 points per game. Cortline Davis is averaging 18.2 points per game, which is tied for the sixth-best mark in the league.
 
Chris Williams is averaging a double-double for the Saints. The junior forward is second in the PBC in rebounding, averaging 11.5 boards per game as well as chipping in 16.7 points per contest.
 
Flagler is currently the best rebounding team in the conference averaging 42.3 rebounds per game.
 
CSU Notes
 
Columbus State will be looking to improve to 7-0 for the first time since the 1994-95 season when the Cougars won their first eight games of the year. CSU finished the year with a 20-9 record.
 
The Cougars are 25th in the National Association of Basketball Coaches Poll this week. It marks the second straight year that CSU has appeared in the national poll after the Cougars spent three weeks ranked last year.
 
Marcus Dixon is currently leading the PBC in rebounding after his 17-rebound performance against Fort Valley on Monday, which was tied for the second-most in a single game by a PBC player this year. Dixon is averaging 12 rebounds per game and has grabbed more than 10 boards in four games.
 
JaCori Payne has scored over 20 points in three games this season. Last year, the guard only surpassed the 20-point mark in a game twice.
 
Columbus State is currently leading the conference in scoring. The Cougars average 89.5 points per game this season, nearly four more points than North Georgia who ranks second.
 
Media Coverage
 
Saturday's game will be broadcast live on NewsRadio 540 WDAK with CSU Hall of Fame broadcaster Scott Miller on the call.