GREENWOOD, S.C. - In a tie game at the half, the Columbus State University men's basketball team couldn't keep pace with Lander suffering a 97-73 setback on Saturday. The Peach Belt Conference game took place inside Finis Horne Arena in Greenwood, S.C.

Lander (16-4, 10-2 PBC) used two prolonged runs in the second half to pull away from the Cougars. Tyler Brevard hit a three to begin a 12-0 run to begin the second half for the Bearcats. Over the first 10 and a half minutes, Lander scored on all of its possessions while outscoring the Cougars 37-7.

"You have to give Lander credit for that second half," commented head coach Robert Moore. "They just couldn't miss, and sometimes you have to tip your hat."

"We have no time to rest because of our makeup game against Georgia College on Monday. It's time to start our stretch run now."

Karl Ivey (12), Hunter Preston (11), and Anthony Moore (10) all scored in double-figures. Landrius Horton had nine points and seven rebounds in his first action since Jan. 29.

As a team, Columbus State (12-9, 7-6 PBC) shot 39.4 percent (26-for-66) and 36 percent (9-for-25) from three. They were nearly perfect from the line going 12-for-13.

Columbus State will be back in action on Monday hosting Georgia College in a rescheduled contest. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m. inside the Lumpkin Center.
 

Play-by-Play

First Half

Both teams came out hot in the first half with the Cougars racing to a 9-5 lead thanks to five straight points from Horton. Lander didn't let things get out of hand, pulling within two (14-12) after a layup at the 12:38 mark. Hunter Preston, along with a three from Ivey, would give the Cougars their largest lead of the night at 22-14 with 10:50 to play in the first. However, the Bearcats used a 9-1 run a few minutes later to take their first lead of the night with 6:25 showing on the clock. Back-to-back buckets by Moore and Cam Paulding put the Cougars back in front, and CSU continued to stretch the lead going up by five (35-30) with just over three minutes to go. Columbus State looked to be taking a 37-34 lead into the locker room, but a Zane Rankin three tied the game before the half.

Second Half

Lander was off-and-running following Tyler Brevard's three to begin the half's scoring. The Bearcats used runs of 12-0 and 13-0 early in the period to take a 74-44 lead 10-and-a-half minutes into the period. The Cougars showed their fight though. Two Ivey 3-pointer's and a 7-0 run late in the game help cut into the deficit.

 

Inside the Numbers

• In the second half, Lander shot 66.7 percent (24-for-36) and was 9-for-15 from 3-point range.  • It's the third time this season that Ivey has scored 12 points. • The Cougars have now lost back-to-back games for the first time since late December. • CSU only grabbed 26 rebounds in the game. • Columbus State's 92.3 percent mark from the free throw line was a season-high. • It was the 15th game this season that Bryant Givens dished out five or more assists.