WILSON, N.C. - In an early season thriller, the Columbus State University men's basketball team fell 107-102 in overtime to Mount Olive on Saturday. The neutral site game took place in the Wilson Gymnasium as part of the '45 Second Classic'

"These were two great teams on the court today," commented head coach Robert Moore. "Tip of the hat to Mount Olive. I don't know what else we could have thrown at them defensively. There were some mental lapses today, and we have to be able to control our emotions because things are going to get more intense down the stretch of the season."

Five players scored in double figures for Columbus State with Bryant Givens and Anthony Moore leading the way with 22 apiece. Landrius Horton posted his first double-double of the season after a 17-point, 12-rebound performance. Stanley Taylor (14 points) and Jalen Thomas (12 points) were the other Cougars in double-digits.

The Cougars shot 51.2 percent (42-for-82) from the floor and an even 50-percent (9-for-18) on 3-point attempts.

Columbus State will return to the court on Friday. Nov. 7 p.m. taking on Albany State in Albany, Ga. 

 

Play-by-Play

First Half

The Cougars and Trojans exchanged blows from the opening tip as neither side held a lead larger than four until the 9:32 mark. Down 20-15, Columbus State went on a 7-0 run to jump in front. A 3-pointer at the 7:07 mark gave the lead back to the Trojans before another 7-0 spurt put the Cougars ahead 31-26. Once again, UMO responded with an 8-1 run of its own behind two 3's. The Trojans wouldn't have the lead for long as a Landrius Horton layup marked the ninth lead change of the half with the Cougars moving ahead 34-33. Columbus State would remain in the lead for the final 2:39 of the half.

Second Half

Columbus State continued to pound the ball in the paint opening up a 69-58 lead at the 10:01 mark. However, Mount Olive kept up the 3-point barrage. A 10-2 run by the Trojans cut the Cougar lead to just 73-72 with less than six minutes on the clock. Columbus State was able to fend off  UMO until a layup at the 3:30 mark started a 10-2 Trojan run that saw the Cougars go down 86-82. Columbus State showed its fight late though. After Moore made it just a two-point game with 30 seconds remaining, the Cougars fouled Michael Brown to extend the game. Brown gave CSU life after going 1-for-2 at the line making it just an 89-86 game. Needing a game-tying 3-pointer, Givens delivered for the Cougars forcing overtime.

Overtime

Mount Olive shot lights out in the extra five-minute period racing out to a 94-89 lead. Columbus State did respond cutting the deficit to 97-96 following buckets by Givens and Stanley Taylor with less than two minutes to go. However, two more 3-pointers later in the session iced the game for the Trojans. UMO shot 4-for-5 from beyond the arc in overtime.

 

Inside the Numbers

• Columbus State dominated the paint outscoring the Trojans 58-28. • It was the 10th 20-point game in Bryant Givens' Cougar career. • After 12 double-doubles last season, Landrius Horton posted the first one of the 2019-20 season for CSU. • Columbus State has shot over 50 percent in both games this season. In 2018-19, CSU failed to shot at a 50 percent clip or better in back-to-back contests all year. • CSU held a 43-30 rebounding advantage. • Columbus State had won its previous three overtime contests. The last overtime loss for the Cougars was on Feb. 3, 2018 against Augusta. • Mount Olive shot 50 percent on 3-point attempts. The Trojans made 17 3's in the game.  • In all, the game saw 10 lead changes while the score was tied eight times.