COLUMBUS - The Columbus State University men's basketball team punched another double-digit win on Saturday with a 62-51 victory over No. 25 Miles College. The game was a part of the 2021 Herbert Greene Invitational played inside the Frank G. Lumpkin Jr. Center.

It was nearly a stressless day for the Cougars as CSU only trailed 3-2 early in the first.

"I thought this was an outstanding weekend of basketball all-around, and I would like to thank everyone who made this inaugural event a huge success," commented head coach Robert Moore. "Our defense and effort won us this game today. DP (Devan Porter-Wilson) was critical off the bench and was a huge spark."

Porter-Wilson had just seven points, but he led the team with nine rebounds while also picking up an assist and a steal. 

After Miles went up 3-2, Columbus State (7-1) scored the next eight points thanks to a hot-shooting Christian Chambers. Chambers scored all eight points in the run and helped CSU seized control of the game.

The Golden Bears (6-2) remained in striking distance for the majority of the first until a quick spurt by the Cougars ended the half. In a 29-25 game, CSU outscored MC 10-2 over the final five-plus minutes to go into the break ahead 39-27.

Miles attempted a comeback in the early stages of the second, outscoring the Cougars 11-4 to pull within 10, 48-13, with 13:23 to play. However, a key 3-pointer from Porter-Wilson helped halt the run and keep Columbus State in control. 

Chambers led the Cougars with 17 points, while Langston Gaither added 12 off the bench. Nelson Haskin had eight points to go along with eight rebounds. 

As a team, Columbus State shot 36.4% (24-for-66) and was 6-for-20 (30%) on 3-point attempts. 

Yasim Hooker had 19 points to pace Miles, with Joel Logan grabbing a game-high 10 rebounds. The Golden Bears shot just 32.8% (19-for-58) overall and 26.3% (5-for-19) from beyond the arc.

UP NEXT
The Cougars will have more than a week off before taking on Calffin University on Monday, Dec. 13. Tipoff is at 2 p.m. in Orangeburg, S.C.

GAME NOTES
• It's the first 7-1 start for the Cougars since the 2016-17 season
• The Cougars have won four in a row for the first time since the 2018-19 season
• It's the first win for Columbus State when shooting under 40% from the floor since a double-overtime victory against Young Harris College on Feb. 29, 2020
• The Cougars committed a season-low six turnovers
• CSU tied a season-high with 41 rebounds. The Cougars out-rebounded the Golden Bears 41-40