COLUMBUS - The Columbus State University men's basketball team couldn't overcome a cold start faltering 73-62 to Flagler College on Saturday. The Peach Belt Conference game took place inside the Lumpkin Center.

The Cougars (1-2, 1-2 PBC) shot 25% (8-for-32) in the opening half as the Saints built up a 10-point, 31-21, advantage. CSU got the shots to drop in the second, but couldn't slow down a hot shooting Flagler (5-2, 3-1), which posted a 59.3% (16-for-27) mark over the half, to suffer its first home loss of the season. 
 

How It Happened

First Half

- The opening minutes were rough for the Cougars as the Saints raced out to a 7-2 lead just 2-and-half minutes into the game. Buckets by Anthony Moore and Hunter Preston calmed the offense down before a Kalen Clifton 3-pointer made it an 11-9 FC lead with 14:47 on the clock. From there, both teams went cold as nearly six minutes ticked off the clock before either team added to its total with a Jaizec Lotie layup ending the scoreless drought. Down 13-9, a 3-pointer from Nelson Haskin and a pair of free throws from Preston gave Columbus State its only lead of the night with 7:29 to play in the opening frame. FC would inch back in front before opening up a 10-point advantage, 28-18, thanks to a quick 7-0 run before the end of the half. CSU cut it to seven, but a 3 from the Saints' Spencer Bain made it a 31-21 score at the break.

Second Half

- Columbus State was within single digits of the lead on multiple occasions early in the second, including following a jumper by Clifton with 14:33 on the clock making the score 38-29. However, a 9-3 run by Flagler push the lead back out to 15, 49-34, midway through the half. The Cougars got within 10 at the 8:03 mark when Davion Thomas nailed a 3-pointer, but the Saints wouldn't relinquish the lead. Seven straight points FC pushed the margin too far out for a late Cougar comeback.

 

Box Score Breakdown

• Three Cougars scored in double-figures with Preston leading the way with 14. Clifton (11 pts.) and Thomas (10 pts.) were the others. • Preston was outstanding on the defensive end rejecting a career-high three blocks while tallying three steals.  • Flagler outscored CSU 42-24 in the paint. • CSU was just 2-for-14 from beyond the arch in the first half. The Cougars ended the night 7-for-26 (26.9%). • Jaizec Lottie scored 22 points for the Saints while Jalen Barr had 18 after going 7-for-10 from the field.  • Columbus State had seven blocks in a game, the most since Feb. 26, 2020, when it rejected eight against Georgia Southwestern University.

 

Cougar Notes

• Through three games this season, Columbus State is shooting 24.4% from 3-point range. • Over his last two games, Clifton is shooting 73.7% (14-for-19) while averaging 15.5 ppg.  • It was just the third win ever by the Saints over the Cougars. CSU leads the all-time series. FC's last victory over CSU was Dec. 17, 2016.  • This was the first time in over a decade that Flagler won inside the Lumpkin Center. The Saints last defeated the Cougars in Columbus on Feb. 2 11, 2010, the first-ever meeting between the schools.

 

Up Next

Columbus State will welcome in long-time rival Augusta University on Monday, Jan. 18 at 6 p.m. The game was originally scheduled for Jan. 6, before being postponed for COVID-19 concerns. Once again, no spectators will be allowed inside the Lumpkin Center.  Fans can listen to the game on 88.5 FM WCUG radio or watch it broadcasted on Cougar Sports TV.