TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The Columbus State University men's basketball team fell 84-54 to Florida State Friday night in the lone exhibition game of the preseason. The game was played at the Tucker Center in Tallahassee, Fla.

"I really liked how we played in the first half," stated head coach Robert Moore. "Florida State is a good basketball team, and I'm just happy our guys showed that intensity and fight for the entire 40 minutes. The staff saw things that we need to work on, and that's why you play these preseason games so you can work out the kinks before it becomes real."

Bryant Givens paced the Cougars with 16 points while Landrius Horton added 15. As a team, Columbus State shot 35.7 percent (20-for-56) while connecting on just five of their 28 3-point attempts.

Columbus State will open the 2019-20 season on Friday, Nov. 8 taking on Barton in Wilson, N.C. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
 

Play-by-Play

First Half

It was a tight opening 20 minutes as the Cougars remained in striking distance throughout. After the game was tied at eight at the 14:32 mark, Florida State slowly inched out in front. Late in the half with FSU holding a 36-24 lead, a quick 5-0 run by the Cougars cut the deficit to seven. The Seminoles added the final five points of the half for a 41-29 lead.

Second Half

Coming out of the break, Florida State quickly upped its lead to 53-33 by the first media timeout. After shooting over 40 percent in the first half, the Cougars posted a 31 percent (9-for-29) shooting mark over the final 20 minutes.

 

Inside the Numbers

• Bryant Givens scored 15 first half points to lead all scorers. He finished the night with 16. • The Cougar defense forced 20 Florida State turnovers.  • CSU was just 2-for-14 on 3-point attempts in the second half.  • Florida State outrebounded the Cougars 56-21. FSU had 28 second chance points compared to just two from CSU.