COLUMBUS - North Georgia closed the game on a 14-2 run over the final five-plus minutes to come from behind to defeat the Columbus State University men's basketball team 73-66 on Wednesday. The Peach Belt Conference game took place inside the Lumpkin Center. 

With the Nighthaws rallying, a Karl Ivey jumper gave the Cougars a 64-59 lead with just 5:21 to play. However, CSU would go cold from there, not scoring for over five minutes while UNG scored 14 of the next 16 to complete the improbable comeback.

"This was the toughest loss of the year," commented head coach Robert Moore. "We had this one won, in our building, and we let it getaway. There are no excuses."

"We have to get back at it in practice and prepare for Flagler. Every game is a must-win from here on out."

Landrius Horton led a trio of Cougars in double-figures on Wednesday. Horton scored 19 points to go along with six rebounds and two steals. Anthony Moore fell one rebound shy of a double-double with 12 points and nine boards. Hunter Preston scored nine in the first half and finished the game with 11.

Columbus State struggled to shoot the ball, posting a 35.4 percent mark (23-for-65) overall and was 5-for-24 (20.8%) from 3-point range. CSU did shine at the free throw line though going 15-for-20 (75%).

The Cougars will look to sweep the season series against Flagler on Saturday in St. Augustine, Fla. Tipoff is set for 3:30 p.m. 

 

Play-by-Play

First Half

It was an exciting first half with both teams exchanging blows to trade the lead. It took the Cougars over three minutes before scoring their first points of the game on a Bryant Givens jumper that started a quick 7-0 run. L. Horton added a pair of free throws while Jalen Thomas nailed a three to cap off the stretch. It was tight for the next few minutes as the score was tied three times until UNG scored seven of the next nine during a stretch to take an 18-13 lead at the 8:19 mark. The lead remained at five (23-18) with over five minutes left in the half when the Cougar offense started to click. Fueled by five points from Moore, CSU scored the game's next 11 points to go in front 29-23. Givens put an exclamation point at the end of the run with a one-handed slam following a steal. The Cougars were able to take a six-point lead (35-29) lead into the break thanks to scoring the half's final four points.

Second Half

Things looked to be going in Columbus State's favor early in the second. With the lead still at six, L. Horton hit a 3-pointer and a Moore jumper gave the Cougars their first double-digit lead of the night with 16:36 to play. The lead would hover around 10 points mark until the 12-minute mark. After an Ivey layup that made it a 58-49 game, five quick points from the Nighthawks cut the lead in half. The CSU advantage was at three (60-57) when Ivey again fought his way into the paint for a bucket with 6:23 showing on the clock. That would be the Cougars last made field goal until Givens found the basket with 25 seconds remaining in the game. During that time, UNG outscored CSU 14-0 to pull off the upset win.

 

Inside the Numbers

• Over the final 5:14 of the game, Columbus State was 1-for-11 from the field.  • North Georgia shot 66.7 percent (18-for-27) in the second half. For the game, the Nighthawks were 29-for-53 (54.7 percent). In both games against the Cougars this season, the Nighthawks shot 50 percent or better from the floor. • Givens was responsible for eight of Columbus State's 11 assists.  • UNG outscored CSU in the paint 40-22.  • Moore has scored in double-figures in six straight games for the Cougars. • The Cougars have shot below 21 percent from three in back-to-back games. • It's the eighth straight season that either Columbus State or North Georgia swept the season series against each other.