COLUMBUS - The Columbus State University men's basketball team couldn't overcome a hot shooting Lander team as the Cougars fell 95-90 Saturday afternoon. The Peach Belt Conference game took place inside the Lumpkin Center.

Bryant Givens went over 20-points for the third consecutive game leading the way for CSU with 21. Chris Horton (16), Xavier Williams (13) and DeMarcus McVay (12) each scored in double figures for the Cougars.

"We had to play better defense today," said head coach Robert Moore. "We didn't bring the energy on that side of the court and it cost us. When you score 90 points you should win the game, but we have to respond and get ready for this tough stretch in the coming days."

CSU got off to a quick start jumping out to a 7-2 lead. Stanley Taylor fueled the Cougar offense with a three and a dunk for five points early. However, Lander would then reel off a 16-4 run to take an 18-11 advantage with 13:39 showing on the clock.

The shots started falling again for the Cougars as CSU inched closer to the Bearcats. Two three-pointers from Landrius Horton along with a jumper from McVay helped CSU get right back in the game bringing the Cougars within one at 22-21. 

But following the run Lander responded and raced away from the Cougars again. The Bearcats took the first double figure lead of the day going up 36-25 after a 14-4 spurt with 5:35 remaining in the first half. The Cougars would battle back to make it just 46-40 at the break.

Lander's lead quickly went back to double figures as the Bearcats scored the first five points of the second half. But CSU once again responded, when down 58-46 with 16:11 left they scored the next seven points to cut it to a five point deficit.

The Cougars continued to hang around and pulled within just four (67-63) after Chris Horton hit a three-pointer at the 9:21 mark. However, Lander responded with seven straight points to go back in front by 11 and coasted to the victory.

Columbus State shot 43.7 percent (31-for-71) from the floor and 34.4 percent (11-for-32) from long range. CSU continued to shoot well from the charity stripe going 17-for-20.

CSU will be back in action on Monday, Feb. 18 taking on Albany State on the road. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.