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By: Josh Fuller

COLUMBUS – With the schedule winding down, the Columbus State University men's basketball team will come back home to host Clayton State Wednesday. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
 
Last Time Out
 
The Cougars had two shots to win the game on the final possession, but came up short at Georgia College falling 65-64. CSU rallied down six in the final 91 seconds, but JaCori Payne's and Ryan Burnett's final shots couldn't complete the comeback. Payne and Burnett each finished with 13 points, while Marcus Dixon posted a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds.
 
Moore on the Matchup
 
"Everyone is fighting for their postseason lives right now, so Clayton State is going to come in here trying to complete the season sweep. We have to be ready and grab this important win."
 
Series History
 
Clayton State snapped a seven-game losing streak to the Cougars last month, but Columbus State still holds a 30-13 mark over the Lakers. The Cougars have won 10 of the past 12 against Clayton State.
 
Last Meeting
 
Clayton State jumped out in front and never looked back in an 86-79 win over the Cougars on January 21 in Morrow. The Lakers held a 23-8 lead over the first 12 minutes. Columbus State managed to cut the lead to six late in the first half, but couldn't come any closer in the second. Arben Camaj scored 18 going 7-for-12 from the field.
 
About Clayton State
 
Clayton State enters the game with a 12-11 overall record and a 7-7 mark inside the Peach Belt Conference. The Lakers snapped a three-game losing streak Monday defeating North Georgia 89-63.
 
The Lakers are currently tied for fifth in the PBC West, but are just 1.5 games behind the Cougars from first.
 
Clayton State has four players who average more than 10 points per game. In their first matchup with CSU, the Lakers had seven players who scored at least 10.
 
Clayton State averages 39.9 rebounds per game, the fourth-most in the PBC, and has a 1.6 rebound margin per game.

CSU Notes
 
Columbus State (16-6, 9-6) had its three-game winning streak snapped Monday. It was CSU's first three-game winning streak since the beginning of the new year.
 
The Cougars are currently tied with Montevallo for the PBC West lead. North Georgia is just a half game behind both in third. CSU will play at UM and UNG after Clayton State.
 
The Cougars are currently on a 15-game home winning streak in the regular season dating back to January 19 of last year. CSU is a perfect 10-0 inside the Lumpkin Center this year.
 
Since the middle of January, John Lambert has become one of the best 3-point shooters in the PBC. Over the past eight games, Lambert is shooting 48.3 percent (14-for-29). He is now shooting 41.8 percent on the season, the 10^th-best mark in the league.
 
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.