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By:
Josh Fuller
COLUMBUS – After winning back-to-back games for the first time in nearly a month, the Columbus State University men's basketball team will look to make it three in a row against North Georgia Wednesday. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. inside the Lumpkin Center.
Last Time Out
The Cougars scored just 60 points, but it was enough as CSU defeated Georgia Southwestern 60-54 Monday night. CSU was in the lead for most of the game and used a 12-0 run in the second half to put the game away.
Darius Joell had 15 points and nine rebounds for the Cougars.
Moore on the Matchup
"North Georgia has been playing really well and is ahead of us in the standings. We can't afford to lose against them on our home court. I'm hoping the guys will carry the momentum from Monday into this very critical game."
Series History
The Cougars and North Georgia have been meeting on a yearly basis since the 2005-06 season when the Nighthawks joined the PBC. All-time, CSU holds a 21-11 advantage in the series, including an 11-3 mark in Columbus. The Cougars have also won four straight in the series.
Last Meeting
After a slow start, the Cougars rallied to take down the Nighthawks 89-75 on February 20, 2016 in Columbus. CSU was 2-for-17 to begin the game, but eventually tied it at halftime. The Cougars owned the second half outscoring UNG 54-40 to pull out the win.
Cam Baker had 19 for CSU, while
Arben Camaj added 12 and nine rebounds.
About North Georgia
North Georgia (11-9, 7-4 PBC) enters the game on a two-game winning streak after taking down Young Harris 91-86 on Monday in Dahlonega.
The Nighthawks are currently tied for the top spot in the PBC West Division with Young Harris after last night's win. UNG has never finished higher than third in the PBC West.
UNG has four players who average more than 10 points per game. Shaquan Cantrell leads the way averaging 17 a night and scored 25 Monday against Young Harris.
North Georgia is one of the highest scoring teams in the PBC averaging 83.6 points per game, the third-most in the league.
CSU Notes
Columbus State (14-5, 7-5) is just a half game out of first place in the PBC West. However, the Cougars are just one game ahead in the loss column of sixth-place Clayton State.
Despite shooting its worst field goal percentage of the year, the Cougars managed to pull out the win with 60 points on Monday. It marked CSU's first victory with 65 points or fewer since January 24, 2015 when the Cougars scored just 65 in a win against Young Harris.
The Cougars are currently on a 13-game home winning streak in the regular season dating back to January 19 of last year. CSU is a perfect 8-0 inside the Lumpkin Center this year.
Marcus Dixon is still fighting for the rebounding title in the PBC this year as the junior is second in the league averaging 10.6 boards per night.
Media Coverage
Wednesday's game will be broadcast live on NewsRadio 540 WDAK and streamed on CougarSportsTV with CSU Hall of Fame broadcaster Scott Miller on the call.
