COLUMBUS - Lander used a strong shooting performance to jump out to an early lead and never looked back as they defeated Columbus State 89-75 on Saturday night. The Peach Belt Conference game took place inside the Lumpkin Center.
Five minutes into the game it was CSU who climbed in front 11-5 thanks to five early points from Jalen Thomas. But the Bearcats responded with a 16-0 run to bust the game open and never let the Cougars within five the rest of the way. Bryant Givens led Columbus State with 21 points on 7-for-14 shooting while Anthony Moore and Jalen Thomas chipped in 17 and 13 respectively.
"I think more than anything Lander came in with a solid game plan and wanted this win more than us," stated head coach Robert Moore. "It's disappointing to us and to the Cougar family with our effort tonight."
"We'll take time during the break to work out some of the mistakes we continue to make and hopefully bounce back when we play next."
The Cougars shot over 50-percent in the second to help them finish 26-for-58 from the field on the night. After hitting a season high 15 threes in their last game CSU shot just 30 percent from behind the arc making only six threes.
Lander was 34-of-61 from the field for 56 percent and also drained 11 threes on the night.
Columbus State will take their holiday break for the next two weeks as they won't be back in action until January 4th against Francis Marion. Tipoff is scheduled for 3:30 inside the Lumpkin Center.
| Play-by-Play |
| First Half |
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Thomas scored five early points on a three-pointer and fast break layup to put the Cougars in front 11-5 only five minutes into the game. From there though the Bearcats stormed in front by double-digits, going on a 16-0 run sparked by two 3-pointers and four layups. CSU would answer with a Chris Horton three and a fast break dunk by Moore to make it 21-16 with 9:26 left. Lander would hit three more from distance allowing them to continue to push in front. The Cougars struggled to get defensive rebounds as the Bearcats crashed the glass hard to finish the first half, grabbing eight offensive rebounds for 11 second chance points. Their 55 percent shooting and six made threes helped give them a 47-32 lead at the break.
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| Second Half |
| Each time Columbus State tried to go on a run in the second half the Bearcats found ways to answer. Elijah Alston started to catch fire from distance hitting three long distance shots in the second half as part of his 15 total points on the night. With 12:19 left a layup by Lander gave them their largest lead at the time at 64-45 before CSU would go on a 10-4 spurt to cut it down to 13. From there the two teams traded baskets back and forth over the next three minutes until Alston hit two of his threes to push the Bearcats back in front 80-63 with 5:40 remaining. CSU would cut it down to 12 with 2:20 remaining after a Givens layup but that would be the closest they'd get as Lander held on for the 14-point victory. |
| Inside the Numbers |
- The Cougars were out-rebounded by 13 (39-26), tying the most all season.
- The 56 percent shooting from Lander also tied the best mark for an opponent this season.
- Lander finished the game with 13 offensive rebounds and 19 second-chance points.
- CSU never got closer than 12 points throughout the entire second half.
- Givens has back-to-back 20 point outings, both times coming off the bench.
- The 11-made Bearcat threes marked the third time this season the Cougars have given up double-digit makes from behind the arc.
- Moore had his best outing going 8-for-11 for 17 points, the first time he's reached double figures since Tuskegee on Nov. 23.
- Thomas finished with 13 points a new season-high for the senior.
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