YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. - The short-handed Columbus State University men's basketball team had no problem on Wednesday night, defeating Young Harris College 89-75 inside the YHC Recreational and Fitness Center.
CSU (11-3, 3-2 PBC) relied heavily on role players without three starters, while fifth-year standout Hunter Preston carried the load. The forward posted his first double-double of the season with a career-high 29 points to go along with 10 rebounds. Preston was 12-for-18 from the floor, including connecting on two 3-pointers, and added four steals.
"This was a gutsy win," commented head coach Robert Moore. "This roster is full of guys with talent, and that showed tonight. Hunter knew he had to play a key role tonight, and he sure did show up. He is by far one of the most consistent players in this conference."
Five other Cougars set or tied season-highs on Wednesday (Grant Howard, Wisdom Uboh, Roman Son, Lederrius Jones, Mason Pierre) in the balanced attack.
Columbus State was down 16-11 early before a Howard 3-pointer jumpstarted a 14-3 run that changed the course of the game.
YHC was able to inch within one, 27-26, before CSU closed the first half with a bang. Over the final six-plus minutes, CSU outscored the Mountain Lions 23-6 to go into the break up 50-32. Uboh hit two of his four 3-pointers during the spurt.
The Cougars eventually took the game's largest lead at 69-43 with 11:48 on the clock in the second half. YHC was able to get hot from beyond the arc late to cut into the final margin.
CSU shot 54.8% (34-for-62) overall and were 9-for-21 from 3-point range.
Carl Cleveland led YHC in scoring with 27, while Karl Chavis added 20.
UP NEXT
The Cougars stay on the road, traveling to face in-state rival No. 12 Augusta University on Saturday, Jan. 15 at 3:30 p.m. CSU knocked off the Jaguars 73-62 in Columbus back on Dec. 20.
GAME NOTES
• The win is just the second for the Cougars in Young Harris and snaps a five-game road losing streak to the Mountain Lions...CSU is now 2-8 all-time in Young Harris
• CSU dished out a season-high 25 assists. Jones had six to lead the way
• It was the fourth double-double for Preston in a Cougar uniform
• Robert Moore picked up career win number 175 on Wednesday
• It's the second time this season the Cougars have posted a 42.9% mark from 3-point range this season. CSU also shot 42.9% from deep against Augusta
• CSU blocked only one shot in the game, marking just the second time this year the Cougars failed to swat two or more
