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COLUMBUSÂ - The Columbus State University men's basketball team lost a heartbreaking 83-79 decision to 13th ranked USC Aiken on Wednesday night inside the Lumpkin Center.
The Cougars enjoyed their largest lead of the night at 59-44 with 12:03 remaining in the game after a Stanley Taylor layup. But the Pacers came storming back going on a 15-2 run to cut the lead down to one basket.
Over the final seven minutes, the lead changed hands four times with neither side holding an advantage larger than four.
With 2:44 left in the game, junior Jalen Thomas put the Cougars up 75-71 with a lay up however that would be the Cougars final field goal of the game. The Cougars again brought the lead back up to four with 1:17 on the clock after two free throws from Landrius Horton.
Xzavier Barmore responded with a quick three and after a Cougar turnover the Pacers took the lead on a layup down low plus the foul to make it 80-79. Columbus State couldn't grab a rebound off the missed free throw and another putback plus the foul extended the Pacers final margin of victory to four.
"It was a disappointing loss for us tonight," head coach Robert Moore said. "We competed well against one of the top teams in the nation, but we have to learn how to close out games. We'll take this experience and find a way to improve on it in the coming weeks."
Junior Bryant Givens scored a season high 22 points to lead the way for the Columbus State offense. Four other Cougars finished in double figures including senior DeMarcus McVay who recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Horton posted his third double-double of the season scoring 10 points while pulling down a game-high 13 rebounds. Taylor also chipped in a season-high 15 points.
The Cougars shot 35.6 percent (26-for-73) from the field and went just 6-of-31Â from the 3-point line. CSU committed 18 turnovers that lead to 23 Pacer points.
Columbus State will be back in action Monday, Dec. 17th as they take on UNC Pembroke in the Lumpkin Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
