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By: Josh Fuller

COLUMBUS – After claiming a share of the Peach Belt Conference West Division, the Columbus State University men's basketball team will begin postseason play hosting USC Aiken in the PBC Tournament Quarterfinals. The game will begin at 3:30 p.m. inside the Lumpkin Center.
 
Last Time Out
 
The Cougars scored 55 points in the second half to storm by Georgia Southwestern on Wednesday. CSU was down by as many as 14 in the first half and trailed the Hurricanes at the break. The Cougars started the second strong and used a 20-7 run in the half to put GSW away. All five CSU starters scored in double figures, including 17 from Darius Joell.
 
Moore on the Matchup
 
"USC Aiken has had a great season and is a tough matchup for us. We have to execute on offense and take care of the ball to be successful. This is an important game for both teams and we don't want to see our season end on our home court. "
 
Series History
 
Columbus State and USC Aiken have a long history dating back to the inception of the PBC. The Cougars hold a 29-17 advantage, including a 16-6 mark in Columbus. The Cougars and Pacers have met three previous times in PBC Tournament play with CSU winning two of the three.
 
Last Meeting
 
USC Aiken handed Columbus State one of its worst losses of the year on Jan. 7 as the Pacers defeated the Cougars 106-86 in Aiken. USCA shot 55.6 percent from the floor and used big runs to pull away from the Cougars. Marcus Dixon had 15 points, while John Lambert had 12.
 
About USC Aiken

USC Aiken finished the regular season with an 18-8 overall mark and was 12-7 in PBC play. The Pacers finished third in the PBC East.
 
The Pacers have won four of their past six games, but dropped a 87-83 overtime decision to Augusta to end the regular season.
 
USC Aiken has four guards who average more than 14 points per game. Mark Matthews leads the way with 15.9 points per game, while also ranking seventh in the PBC in rebounding bringing down 8.2 boards per game.
 
USC Aiken is one of the highest scoring teams in the conference scoring 83.7 points per game. The Pacers also shoot 26.2 3s per game, the most in the PBC.
 
CSU Notes
 
The Cougars return to the PBC Tournament for the fourth consecutive season after earning the PBC West's second seed. CSU has been one of the PBC West's top two seeds for three straight seasons.
 
Columbus State is the most successful tournament program in PBC men's basketball history. CSU has been in 11 PBC Championship games and won six titles. Both marks are the best in the PBC.
 
Head coach Robert Moore has led CSU to two PBC title games with the last coming in 2015. Each time the Cougars were the PBC West second seed.
 
The Cougars are still in the eighth spot in the NCAA Southeast Regional poll. The top eight seeds, including three automatic berths from conference champions, will advance to the NCAA Tournament.
 
Media Coverage
 
Saturday'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.