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By: Josh Fuller

COLUMBUS – Cam Baker hit the game-winning shot with 1.3 seconds remaining on the clock to lift the Columbus State University men's basketball team to an 88-86 victory over Clayton State Wednesday. The Peach Belt Conference game took place inside the Lumpkin Center.

Just over two weeks after coughing up a double-digit lead of their own, the Cougars found themselves down 13 (74-61) with just over nine minutes to go in the game. With the roles reversed, CSU ran off a quick 13-0 run tying the game at 74 with 6:41 showing on the clock. Brent Jackson fueled the run with eight points, four from the free throw line, while JaCori Payne hit a momentum changing three.

After the Cougars tied the game for the first time since the 12:14 mark in the first half, Clayton State (12-8, 7-6 PBC) came right back up the floor and Saiquan Terry nailed a long three-pointer to push the Lakers right back in front.

The final five minutes saw five lead changes and two tie scores. With under two minutes remaining and CSU down 83-80, Brentine Taylor got a critical offensive rebound and tipped in the bucket making it 83-82.

On the following possession, Clayton State turned the ball over giving the Cougars a chance to take the lead. Baker drove to the hole, but his shot was off. However, Taylor was there once again to clean up the glass and to give CSU an 84-83 lead. It was the Cougars' first advantage since the 12-minute mark in the first half.

Following a Laker miss, Baker laid one in giving CSU an 86-83 lead with just 24 seconds to go. Once again, however, the Lakers answered with the three ball as Nathan Powell drained the shot from deep downtown tying the game at 86 with 14 seconds on the clock.

Calmly dribbling the ball down the court, Baker started his attack at the basket with four seconds to go on the clock. The senior drove into the lane before stepping back from the free throw line to nail the go-ahead bucket with 1.3 seconds showing.

Clayton State's last second shot was no good giving Columbus State its sixth straight win over the Lakers. It was also the ninth consecutive victory for the Cougars in Columbus over Clayton State, dating back to the 2006-07 season.

"I was upset with myself that I didn't call a timeout before Clayton State tied the game so we could set up our defense," stated head coach Robert Moore. "We drew a play up for Cam and he executed it exactly how it was planned.

"I thought we were going through the motions most of the night," added Moore. "At the end, our guys finally decided to settle in and play defense once we got down big and that made the difference."

In the first half, both teams came out of the gates hot. CSU hit eight of its first nine shots, but wasn't able to pull away holding just a 10-9 lead three minutes into the game.

From there, Columbus State used an 8-0 run to go in front 17-9, its largest lead of the game.

It didn't take long for Clayton State to regain the lead. The Lakers scored 17 of the next 19 points taking an 28-21 lead midway through the half.

For the reminder of the half, the Lakers would control the pace of play holding at least a three-point lead for the final 11 minutes of the first half.

Columbus State had four players in double digits in points with Jackson leading the way with 25 off the bench. The senior was 8-for-18 from the field, but was a perfect 9-for-9 from the free throw line. Jackson had a season-high nine rebounds with two assists.

Baker finished with 19 with Taylor and Payne scoring 17 and 14, respectively. Taylor also had 10 rebounds for his third double-double of the year. Baker finished the night with a team high five assists.

As a team, CSU shot 47.9 percent (34-for-71), but only 18.2 percent (2-for-11) from three. The two three-pointers made were a season low. From the charity stripe, the Cougars were 18-of-20.

All five starters scored at least 11 points for Clayton State lead by Alfonso Davis. Davis had 24 thanks to a 11-for-12 night from the free throw line. Takija Knight had 21 with Powell finishing with a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds.

Clayton shot 46.8 percent (29-for-62) and 42.1 percent (8-for-19) from three. At the free throw line, the Lakers shot 80 percent (20-for-25).

Columbus State will now travel to Milledgeville, Ga. for the year's second meeting with Georgia College. CSU defeated GC 83-82 on Jan. 9 in Columbus. Saturday's game will be broadcast live on ESPN3 as the Division II Basketball Game of the Week. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.