Like Columbus State Athletics on Facebook!
Tweet #GoCSU

COLUMBUS – The Columbus State University men's basketball team fell in heartbreaking fashion on Saturday, losing an 82-80 double overtime contest against Augusta. The Peach Belt Conference contest was played in the Lumpkin Center.
 
JaCori Payne scored a season-high 33 points, including 14 in the two overtime periods. John Lambert matched his career-high with 19 points, knocking down five 3-pointers.
 
"We had our chances today," head coach Robert Moore said. "I'm proud of the way we fought, but we missed opportunities to close out the game."
 
Columbus State (6-12, 6-9 PBC) took a 62-61 lead on a bucket from Payne with 1:20 remaining in regulation. After a miss from both sides, the Cougars missed the front end of a 1-and-1 opportunity and Augusta went to the other end and buried a 3-pointer to take a two-point lead.
 
Payne then drove to the basket in the closing seconds and connected on a runner off the glass to knot the game up at 64. Augusta's final heave missed and the game went to the first overtime.
 
In the extra period, Augusta (13-8, 10-5) jumped out to a 70-66 edge before Payne took over the game. The senior went on a personal 9-0 run with two three-point plays and a 3-pointer to give CSU a 75-70 lead with two minutes left.
 
The Jaguars scored the next five points however, tying the game with 21 seconds to go. The Cougars had the final possession, but failed to get a shot off sending the game to another overtime.
 
It was Augusta that took the early lead in the second overtime as well, this time 78-75. In the final minute, Payne knocked down his second 3-pointer of the night with 22 seconds to go to tie it up at 80-all.
 
On the ensuing possession, the Jaguars drew a foul with three seconds left and knocked down a pair of free throws to move in front. CSU would get two chances in the closing seconds, but both were off the mark.
 
The Cougars finished the night at 36.6 percent (26-for-71) overall, shooting 12-for-36 from the 3-point line.
 
Columbus State will go up against Georgia Southwestern at home on Wednesday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.