ORANGEBURG, S.C. - The Columbus State University men's basketball team won its fifth straight game, defeating Claflin University 91-81 at Tullis Arena on Monday. 

The Cougars (8-1) used a balanced attack with five players in double figures in points. Christian Chambers led the way with a season-high 24 points, while Hunter Preston and Langston Gaither both putting up 16.

"This was one of our better games offensively," commented head coach Robert Moore. "A bunch of our guys had their shots working, but I'm glad we still got it done inside the paint as well."

Columbus State was down 4-2 before using a quick 11-2 run to grab the advantage. Preston had six fastbreak points in the spurt, while Gaither added a 3-pointer.

Claflin battled back and eventually tied the game on two occasions with the last coming on a 3-point play by Noah Jenkins to knot the score at 26 with 5:21 to play. 

From there, Chambers got hot, scoring eight of the game's next 10 points as the Cougars rattled off a 10-0 run that helped secure a 41-36 halftime lead. The sharpshooter hit two 3-pointers in the key run.

Early in the second half, Columbus State went up by a game-high 12 points after a fastbreak by Anthony Moore made it a 55-43 game with 15:13 to go.  

However, the Panthers would make things interesting, pulling within four on multiple occasions, including after Donell Frayer hit a three to make it 72-68 with under six to go.

Columbus State overcame the adversity though, stretching the lead back to double-digits in the closing minutes, thanks to six late points by Moore, who finished the game with a 13-point, 10-rebound double-double.

The Cougars shot 54.1% (33-for-61) as a team, including going 7-for-18 from the 3-point line. 

UP NEXT
Columbus State begins Peach Belt Conference play on the road on Friday, Dec. 17 against Lander University. Tipoff is at 3:30 p.m.

COUGAR NOTES
• The Cougars dominated the paint, out-rebounding Claflin 40-26. CSU also outscored CU 46-26 in the paint
• The 91 points are a season-high for the Cougars
• CSU also posted a season-best field goal percentage. It was the first time Columbus State has shot 50% or better since the opening weekend of the year
• It was the third double-double of the year for Moore