AIKEN, S.C. - In a tie game with two seconds left, USC Aiken hit a pair of free throws to down the Columbus State University men's basketball team 78-76 in the Peach Belt Conference opener for the Cougars. The game took place inside the Convocation Center.

With the Cougars down three and with the ball, senior Bryant Givens delivered a clutch moment tying the game with his sixth 3-pointer of the game. Following a timeout, the Pacers dribbled the clock down to two seconds before a controversial foul call gave USCA three shots from the free throw line. Damontez Oliver hit two-of-three to give the Pacers the lead. Columbus State wasn't able to get a shot off before the final buzzer.

"This was a tough one to take, but you can't look for any reason to be sorry for yourself," commented head coach Robert Moore. "You knew whoever had the ball last in this type of game was going to have a great chance to win it, and that's what happened."

"We had some bright spots tonight, including Bryant (Givens) who came back big for us. Saturday is right around the corner and the guys are going to have to get ready for Lander very quickly."

Givens scored 20 points to pace the Cougars going 6-for-8 on his 3-point attempts. He added five assists as well. Hunter Preston scored a season-high 14 points. 

Columbus State had the stroke working from deep shooting 51.7 percent (15-for-29). Overall, CSU shot 43.5 percent (27-for-62) from the field. 

USC Aiken was 26-of-35 from the free throw line while the Cougars attempted just 11 in the game. 

Columbus State will play its final game of the 2019 calendar year on Saturday hosting Lander. Tipoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. inside the Lumpkin Center.
 

Play-by-Play

First Half

Despite shooting well on the night, it took Columbus State some time to ease into the game. It took nearly three minutes for CSU to score its first basket, but by the 14:41 mark a Stanley Taylor jumper gave the Cougars a 7-6 lead. However, a three-minute scoreless stretch by CSU allowed USC Aiken to move in front 12-7. The Pacers remained ahead until a Givens three began a 16-2 run that saw Columbus State take a game-high 13-point lead, 31-18, with 5:16 to play in the half. The Cougars were on fire in the stretch going 6-for-6 from the field, including knocking down three 3-pointers. Columbus State's lead was at 37-26 with less than four minutes left in the half when the Pacers cut into the margin. USCA scored the final eight points of the half to make just a three-point game at the break.

Second Half

The three ball continued to fall for the Cougars to start the second half as back-to-back trifectas by Landrius Horton and Givens made it a 46-37 game three minutes in. USC Aiken battled back and began a 12-2 run to take a 49-48 lead with 13:45 to play. It was the Pacers' first lead since holding a 16-15 advantage early in the opening half. CSU wasn't behind for long as a monstrous dunk by L. Horton and a three from Karl Ivey quickly put the Cougars back in front 53-49. The lead would remain as much as eight, 67-59, following a Jalen Thomas 3-pointer with 8:04 showing on the clock before the Cougars turned cold. CSU would go just 3-for-15 on their final shot attempts, including being held scoreless for over four minutes, allowing the Pacers to inch back. USC Aiken tied the game following a jumper from Faison Brock with over 2:30 to play setting up the final minute. Gus Rowland first nailed a go-ahead three before Givens answered right back with one of his own with 29 seconds showing on the clock. On the final possession of the game, a foul was called on a three-point shot allowing the Pacers to grab the win from the line.

 

Inside the Numbers

• Columbus State is now 5-4 after dropping back-to-back games for the first time this season. USC Aiken extends their winning streak to six moving its record to 6-5. • The Cougars set season-highs in made 3-pointers (15), 3-pointers attempted (29), and 3-point shooting percentage (51.7 percent).  • The 15 made threes were the most by a CSU team since connecting on 15 against Georgia Southwestern last season. • USC Aiken outscored Columbus State by 19 points from the free throw line. It's the widest disparity between CSU and its opponent this season.  • Columbus State's bench outscored USC Aiken's 53-10. • It was the 12th time in his Cougar career and third time this season that Bryant Givens scored 20 or more points.  • It was the first time this season that Landrius Horton was held to under 10 points. • Karl Ivey scored a career-high nine points in the contest.  • Faison Brock and Gus Rowland combined for 49 of USC Aiken's 78 points.  • USC Aiken has now won five straight over the Cougars.