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GREENWOOD, S.C. - The Columbus State University men's basketball team came up with a huge road win to open Peach Belt Conference play defeating Lander 88-78. 

The Cougars got balanced scoring up and down the roster as six different players finished in double figures, led by juniors Bryant Givens and Landrius Horton who each finished with 15 points.

"The depth of our team really showed tonight as we were able to continually rotate guys in and get solid production," said head coach Robert Moore. "It was good to see us shoot almost 50-percent from the field on the road in a tough environment while keeping up our level of intensity on the defensive end."

Jalen Thomas opened the game with a three-pointer as the starters for the Cougars ended up shooting 50-percent (7-14) from behind the arc for the game. The bench continued to produce for the Cougars as they got 30 points off the bench, led by DeMarcus McVay with 12 and John Lambert with 10. 

The game was just a one point differential about midway through the first half when CSU proceeded to go on a 19-5 run, which included three layups from McVay to break the game open. 

Coming out of the halftime break the Cougars continued to have their way against the Bearcats with Thomas starting the exact same way to open the game as he drilled a three-pointer. That prompted a 16-4 run in the first five minutes which gave the Cougars their largest lead of the night at 28. 

The Bearcats cut into the deficit late but Columbus State hung on making their free throws down the stretch, finishing 84-percent (21-25) from the charity stripe.

The Cougars shot 49.1 percent (28-for-57) from the field and went 9-of-24 from the 3-point line.

Columbus State will back home this upcoming Wednesday, December 5 to take on the USC Aiken Pacers. Tip off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.