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By:
Josh Fuller
COLUMBUS – Looking to snap a three-game losing streak, the Columbus State University men's basketball team will take on North Georgia Saturday. The Peach Belt Conference game will tip off at 3:30 p.m. inside Memorial Hall.
Last Time Out
The Cougars fell 85-72 against Montevallo last Saturday on the road. It was just a three-point game early in the second half until the Falcons used a 15-1 run to pull away.
JaCori Payne scored 28, while
Darius Joell had 10 points and eight assists.
Moore on the Matchup
"The season is coming down to these final two games of the year so the intensity level is going to be high on Saturday. North Georgia gave us a good game in Columbus early this month and they can really score. We are going to have to play defense and turn turnovers into easy points."
Series History
Columbus State has now won five straight over North Georgia and holds a 22-11 all-time advantage.
Last Meeting
Despite a sluggish start, the Cougars knocked off North Georgia 81-75 on Feb. 1 inside the Lumpkin Center. North Georgia held an early nine-point lead before CSU started to heat up. Columbus State eventually built up a 13-point lead in the second half cruising to the win.
Marcus Dixon had a double-double with 13 points and 18 rebounds. Payne led all scorers with 19.
About North Georgia
North Georgia (15-11, 11-6 PBC) is having one of its best seasons since joining the Peach Belt Conference as the Nighthawks are currently leading the PBC West Division. UNG is a half game ahead of Montevallo and two games ahead of the Cougars.
The Nighthawks have won three straight after a one-point win over Montevallo Wednesday. UNG has won six of its past eight as well.
UNG has three players averaging over 11 points per game. Shaquan Cantrell is the top Nighthawk averaging 16.6 points per game.
North Georgia struggles on the boards averaging 36.3 rebounds per game, the third-fewest in the PBC.
CSU Notes
Columbus State (16-8, 9-8) is fighting for both a PBC Tournament bid as well as a NCAA Tournament invitation. The Cougars are currently in a three-way tie for third in the PBC West with Georgia College and Clayton State. Young Harris is just a half game behind the trio as well.
On Wednesday, the Cougars were eighth in the first NCAA Regional rankings of the year. The top eight teams, with three automatic berths to conference champions, will advance to the NCAA Tournament.
JaCori Payne is now tied for fourth in the PBC averaging 18.7 points per game. He also ranks inside the top-10 in the league with 53 made 3s.
Marcus Dixon is currently averaging 10.5 rebounds per game, the second-best mark in the PBC. If the season ended today, Dixon's mark would be the fifth-best all-time in CSU history.
Media Coverage
Saturday's game will be broadcast live on NewsRadio 540 WDAK with CSU Hall of Fame broadcaster Scott Miller on the call.
