AIKEN, S.C. - Behind 52 second-half points and a blistering 61.8 percent shooting mark, the fifth-seeded Columbus State University men's basketball team routed fourth-seeded USC Aiken 87-65 on Wednesday night in the 2020 Peach Belt Conference Tournament. The quarterfinal round game was played inside the Convocation Center in Aiken, S.C.

After going down 4-0, the Cougars (17-12) never looked back, building a double-digit advantage before the under the eight-minute mark of the first half. In the second, CSU's lead hovered around 20 for the entire 20-minute session. A Jordan Jedneski three with 1:14 to go in the game gave the Cougars their largest lead of the night at 25 (87-62).

"Obviously, at this time of the year winning is all that matters," said head coach Robert Moore. "But, I felt like we built some momentum tonight that could be key for the upcoming weekend."

"We have the talent, and we have shown that all year long. The important thing is to play our style and not to panic when things are going wrong. To accomplish what we want, we are going to have to defeat some of the top teams in the region, and that's going to take playing some excellent brand of basketball."

Bryant Givens continued his good work with a team-high 21 points for Columbus State thanks in part to six made 3-pointers. He also dished out five assists. Hunter Preston was 7-of-8 from the floor to add 15. Landrius Horton had an efficient game with nine points, six assists, five rebounds, and two steals.

As a team, the Cougars shot 51.5 percent (34-for-66) while hitting 16-of-40 3-point attempts. CSU only went to the free throw line four times the entire night.

Up Next

Columbus State and No. 17 UNC Pembroke will play a rubber match in the PBC Tournament semifinals in Greenwood, S.C. The two sides have met twice in 2019-20 with each winning on its home court. Most recently, UNCP defeated CSU 82-76 on Feb. 22. 

First Half

Columbus State trailed 4-0 two minutes in until L. Horton nailed a 3-pointer to put the Cougars on the board. That started a quick 10-0 spurt by CSU as Anthony Moore added a jumper while Jalen Thomas capped off the run with a 3-pointer and a fastbreak layup following a steal. USC Aiken was able to keep the Cougars at bay for a few more minutes until things started to unravel for the Pacers. In a 15-12 game, Chris Horton got in on the action with a trifecta beginning a 13-3 run by the Cougars. CSU made three from distance, including two from a torching Givens, en route to open up a 25-13 lead with just over six to play in the half. USCA was able to get back within single-digits in the closing minute following a Kyle Tackeberry 3-pointer, but Givens answered with one of his own to put the Cougars ahead 35-24 at the break.

Second Half

USC Aiken started the final half with momentum after hitting its first two to pull within seven (35-28), however, Columbus State had different plans. Another 3-ball by Givens before six straight points by L. Horton had the Cougars rolling. CSU eventually stretched the run out to 14-4 to break the game open. A Stanley Taylor 3-pointer at the 13:32 mark gave Columbus State its first 20-point lead of the night at 54-34. A 10-3 spurt by the Pacers helped make the score tighter as the hosts crawled within 15 (62-50) before the Cougars put the game to rest. With two more 3-pointers by Givens, Columbus State went back ahead by 18 before six straight points in the paint by the Cougars had the lead at 24 (81-57) with three minutes to go. Jedneski hit the final shot for CSU with 1:14 showing on the clock by connecting from deep to send the Cougars to the semifinals.

Cougar Notes & Trends

• It was the second time this season Columbus State made 16 3-pointers in a game. The Cougars were also hot from long range against Francis Marion inside the Lumpkin Center on Jan. 4.
• The PBC Tournament record for made 3-pointers in a game is 17 set by Augusta State in 2009.
• The Cougars have made 11 or more 3-pointers in three of the last five games. 
• It's the second time this season that Givens made six threes in a game. Both outings were in Aiken against the Pacers. It was the 10^th 20-plus point game of the season for the senior.
• Columbus State set a season-high with 26 assists. L. Horton also posted a new personal best in 2019-20 with six. 
• CSU had 30 points off of turnovers while committing just seven of its own. 
• The Cougars set a new season-high with 15 steals. It was the 11^th time this year CSU had 10 or more in a game.
• Columbus State advances to the PBC Tournament semifinals for the first time since 2017. Under head coach Robert Moore, CSU has made four semifinal appearances with the Cougars holding a 3-1 record.
• CSU is now 38-19 all-time in PBC Tournament play. Against USCA, the Cougars are 4-1.