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MORROW, Ga. – The Columbus State University men's basketball team saw its two-game win streak come to an end with a 95-76 loss at Clayton State Saturday. The Peach Belt Conference contest was played in Morrow, Ga.
 
Chris Horton came off the bench and knocked down 5-of-9 3-pointers for a team-best and career-high 15 points. Rudy Winters added 13, Darius Joell finished with 12 and John Lambert ended with 10.
 
"For us, it comes down to the defensive end," head coach Robert Moore said. "We didn't play well enough defensively today. We gave up too many open looks and Clayton State made us pay for that."
 
Columbus State (6-10, 6-7 PBC) fell behind early as the Lakers scored the first four points of the day. Joell hit a 3-pointer for CSU's first points, but the Cougars never managed to take the lead.
 
Clayton State (11-5, 9-3) pushed its lead out to double figures less than eight minutes into the game and never looked back. The Lakers took a 47-29 advantage into halftime.
 
The margin grew as wide as 25 in the second, but the Cougars made a push midway through the half. Vic Ellis got it started with his only make of the afternoon and Horton followed with his first from outside. Jalen Thomas then got a layup in transition to cap the 8-0 run, as CSU forced a Clayton State timeout with the lead down to 15.
 
Clayton State had enough answers down the stretch though, keeping the advantage at 14 or better the rest of the day.
 
CSU shot just 34.7 percent (25-for-72) on the afternoon, while allowing the Lakers to shoot 55.2 percent.
 
Columbus State will head to Dahlonega on Wednesday to take on North Georgia. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.