Columbus - Despite never leading in regulation, the Columbus State University men's basketball team stormed back to defeat Francis Marion University 80-74 in overtime on Saturday afternoon inside the Frank G Lumpkin Jr. Center.
Down 13, 64-51, with 4:09 to play in the second, the Cougars rallied to force the overtime period thanks in large part to a 14-1 run. With the Cougars down two, 68-66, and the clock ticking under 25 seconds, Anthony Moore made a successful layup to send the game into the extra period.Â
After the Patriots went up four to begin OT, CSU scored the final 10 points of the game, including Kalen Clifton hitting a go-ahead jumper with 56 seconds on the clock to give the Cougars a lead they wouldn't relinquish.
"What can I say about our guys today," said head coach Robert Moore. "They showed some heart and determination to come back to win a very important game. It could have been easy for them to check out, but our guys showed up to play late and that's all you can ask for as a coach."
| How It Happened |
| First Half |
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It was a slow start for both teams to open the game as the score was tied at two with over three minutes off the clock. After both teams began hitting shots, Francis Marion took control of the pace of play, going in front by five, 16-11, on a Langston Gaither jumper with 9:15 on the clock. The Patriots ended up pulling ahead by eight, 27-19, late in the half following a successful 3-point basket, but CSU never let the slip getaway. Before the final horn of the half, Columbus State cut the lead to three before FMU took a 33-27 advantage to the break.
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| Second Half |
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Francis Marion scored the first points in the second half before a quick 7-0 run by the Cougars forced a Patriot time out just two minutes in. FMU wouldn't let Columbus State pull ahead though maintaining its lead. Looking to pull away, Francis Marion used a 13 -2 run to take a 13-point advantage, 55-42, with under nine to go in regulation. With 4:09 on the clock, the Cougars went to work. A 3-pointer by Lederrius Jones began the game-changing 14-1 spurt that saw Columbus State tied the game at 65 on a Clifton fastbreak layup following a Hunter Preston block on the defensive side of the court. The Patriots would go ahead on two different occasions over the final minute-and-a-half but a layup by Moore sent the game to overtime tied at 68.
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| Overtime |
| Francis Marion stormed out to a 74- 70 lead to begin overtime before Columbus State put the game to bed. A Clifton jumper began a 10-0 run for CSU giving the Cougars a statement victory. It was Clifton again with the go-ahead jumper with 56 seconds on the clock to put the Cougars in front for good. |
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| Box Score Breakdown |
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• Preston finished the night with 25 points to go along with 16 rebounds for his first double-double of the year. He was 9-for-13 from the floor and a perfect 6-for-6 at the free-throw line for CSU.
• Clifton added 20 points with 13 coming in the second half and overtime. It was the second straight game for the senior with the go-ahead bucket following his game-winner Wednesday night against Georgia Southwestern University.Â
• Moore also posted a double-double for CSU with 11 points and 10 rebounds. It was the second double-double of the year for the senior.
• As a team Columbus State shot 22.7% from 3-point range going 5-for-22. Overall, CSU posted a 41.1% (30-for-73) field goal percentage.
• Francis Marion ended the night shooting 41% (25-for-61), including a 60% (12-for-20) mark in the second half. Â
• The Cougars had 14 points off turnovers while the Patriots only had two. CSU took care of the ball committing only seven turnovers compared to 17 by FMU.Â
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| Cougar Notes |
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• The 16 rebounds by Preston was a career-high for the senior while the double-double was the third in his Cougar career. It was also tied for the best rebounding effort by any PBC player this year.Â
• Preston also set a new season-high scoring mark by any Cougar player with his 25 points.Â
• CSU committed a season-low seven turnovers.Â
• It was the first time this year that Columbus State has won back-to-back games.
• Columbus state snapped a two-game overtime losing streak with the win. The last OT victory for the Cougars was on February 13, 2019, against Georgia Southwestern.Â
• Columbus State now leads the all-time series over Francis Marion 30-18. It was the final scheduled conference meeting between the two schools as FMU is set to depart the PBC following the year.
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| Up Next |
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Columbus State will now return to the road to play Young Harris College on Wednesday, February 3 at 7:30 p.m. in Young Harris, Ga. Cougar fans can listen to the game live on 88.5 FM WCUG with Scott Miller bringing all the action from court side.Â
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