Columbus - Looking to begin Peach Belt Conference play on a high note, the Columbus State University men's basketball team hits the road to take on USC Aiken on Wednesday. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. inside the Convocation Center in Aiken, S.C.
The Cougars (5-3) will be aiming for redemption following a 70-50 loss to Tuskegee on Dec. 11. CSU shot 25.8 percent from the floor, the worst mark since the 2012-13 season.
"To be a great team, you have to be able to respond from getting knockdown," said head coach
Robert Moore. "Over the course of a long season, you'll have games like that, but it's how you answer that defines the year."
"We have a challenge on our hands with USC Aiken. They are always one of the top teams in this conference and it's never easy to grab a road victory."
Columbus State will return home following Wednesday's game to host Lander on Saturday, Dec. 21. Tipoff will be at 3:30 p.m. inside the Lumpkin Center.
| CSU |
Stats |
USCA |
| 5-3, 0-0 |
Record |
5-5, 1-0 |
| 76.4 |
PPG |
76.3 |
| 73.4 |
Opp. PPG |
79.4 |
| 45.2% |
FG% |
44.6% |
| 47.5% |
Opp. FG% |
43.3% |
| 36.3 |
Rebs/Game |
36.6 |
| 28.9% |
3PT FG% |
31.0% |
| 36.5% |
Opp. 3PT FG% |
31.3% |
| 61.4% |
FT% |
63.6% |
| 13.5 |
Assists/Game |
13.4 |
| 11.3 |
Steals/Game |
6.9 |
| 2.0 |
Blocks/Game |
3.4 |
Game 9
Opponent: USC Aiken
Date: Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2019
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Convocation Center (4,000), Aiken, S.C.
Radio: NewsRadio 540 WDAK - Scott Miller, play-by-play.
Live Video Stream: PacerSports.com
All-time Series: CSU leads 30-21
Last Meeting: Jan. 5, 2019, in Aiken, S.C. (USCA 108-81)
About USC Aiken
After a rough start to the season, USC Aiken has strung together five straight victories to even its record at 5-5. On Sunday, the Pacers used a 64.6 percent shooting performance to knock off North Georgia 81-76 in Dahlonega, Ga.
Despite the performance against UNG, the Pacers still rank near the bottom in the conference in all shooting metrics, including a 31 percent mark from beyond the arc. USCA is last in rebounding margin (-5.3).
Five players average over 9.5 points per game with Faison Brock leading the way with 15.3 a night. Xzavier Baramon (14.6 PPG) and Dhieu Deing (12.0 PPG) are scoring threats for the Pacers. Gus Rowland averages 5.4 assists per game, which is the fourth best mark in the PBC.
In Aiken this season, the Pacers are 5-1.
Cougar Notes
• Columbus State is one of the charter members of the Peach Belt Conference and is beginning its 30th season of play in the league.
• The Cougars have a proud history in the PBC winning a share of the regular season title six times. CSU also has six PBC Tournament championships in program history.
•In the nation, Columbus State ranks sixth in steals per game (11.3), 15th in offensive rebounds per game (14.3), 17th in turnovers forced (18.4), and 20th in turnover margin (+5.0).
• Individually, Bryant Givens is 10th in steals per game (2.9).
• Columbus State is looking to rebound from one of its worst offensive games in recent memory. Before last Wednesday, the last time the Cougars scored 50 or fewer points was on Nov. 11, 2006 against St. Augustine's.
• The Cougars have won two consecutive PBC openers.
• It will be the 52nd all-time meeting between Columbus State and USC Aiken. The Cougars lead the series 30-21, but USC Aiken is 12-11 at home against CSU.
• Recently, the Pacers have controlled the series winning four straight. Columbus State hasn't won in Aiken since Dec. 20, 2014.
