COLUMBUS – The Columbus State University men's basketball controlled the game from start to finish as they came away with a 105-96 victory over Young Harris.

After going down 2-0 in the first minute of the game CSU didn't trail the rest of the way as their offense kept piling on the points, hitting triple digits for the first time since December of 2016.

Junior Landrius Horton had another monster performance finishing with 25 points and 19 rebounds while also chipping in six assists. Five other Cougars finished in double figures as well, as Chris Horton set a new career high with 21 points including four made three-pointers. 

"We knew Young Harris was going to come in and try to run us out of the gym," said head coach Robert Moore. "But I was extremely pleased at how we kept up with them despite our lack of depth. There will be mistakes that happen when you get pressed but overall I thought we did a good job tonight of breaking it and getting open looks for our shooters."

CSU jumped out to the early lead thanks to their hot shooting from behind the arc. They made three of their first four three-pointers to open the game. Stanley Taylor followed it by putting in a layup while getting fouled and completed the three-point play just over four minutes into the game to give the Cougars the early eight point advantage. 

Columbus State would continue to build upon that lead and Taylor eventually had a jam just past the midway point of the first half that got the crowd to their feet and opened up a 12-point lead. CSU shot 45-percent from the field in the first half to take a 10-point lead into the break. 

Young Harris wouldn't go away easy and they came roaring back to start the second half. They went on separate 9-0 and 7-0 runs the last of which tied the game at 70 apiece with 13:15 remaining in the game. But Xavier Williams responded for CSU scoring six straight points himself, capped off by a dunk to give the Cougars some breathing room. Williams finished with 15 points, eight rebounds and five blocks. 

The Mountain Lions would make one final push cutting the lead down to three with 2:50 remaining. Yet once again it was the two Horton's who responded as Chris Horton hit a three from the corner followed by a Landrius Horton jumper to extend the lead to eight. 

Bryant Givens had his fourth double-double of the season as he finished with 17 points and 10 assists. Jalen Thomas chipped in another 15 points, seven rebounds and five assists. 

As a team, CSU shot 43.2 percent (35-for-81) from the floor and 9-34 from the 3-point line.

Columbus State will be back in action Wednesday, January 30 in St. Augustine, Fl. taking on Flagler. Tipoff is at 7:30.