COLUMBUS -  The Columbus State University men's basketball team hosted their first conference game of the season Thursday afternoon, losing 59-74 to Lander. The Cougars drop to 0-2 in conference play and 7-4 overall on the season. Lander improves their overall record to 7-2 and earns their first win in their first game in conference play.

The story of the night was Lander's ability to score from anywhere and everyone. They ended the night with four players in double figures and seven players with a made three-pointer. LU set the tone in the first half going into halftime up 36-26 and shot 45 percent from the floor. 

The Cougars were able to outshoot the Bearcats in the first half from the three-point arc, drilling 39 percent of them. Columbus State struggled from the free-throw line in the first half (5-for-11) and ended the night shooting 58 percent from the line. 

The second half saw the Bearcats get hot and not just from one person but many. They shot 50 percent (13-for-26) in the half and 43 percent from three-point land. LU also cashed in at the free-throw line, although not many attempts, they went 8-12 from the stripe. 

Wisdom Uboh was a spark-plug off the bench and gave CSU the shot in the arm they needed. Wisdom got the hot hand quick and the Cougars relied upon him to make a comeback at Lander. Uboh shot 4-for-8 from the floor and 2-for-4 from three, he also led CSU in scoring with 14 points. Daniel Melvin had another solid night with 10 points and also came down with four rebounds.

Late in the game, CSU was able to force a couple of offensive fouls to give them a chance to comeback. Unfortunately, nothing was falling for the Cougars and CSU was unable to keep up with the LU offense.

UP NEXT:
The Cougars have a long layoff till their next game which is on New Years Eve where they travel to Pembroke, North Carolina to take of the Braves of UNC Pembroke. CSU will look to avenge an early season loss when UNCP came to Columbus and beat the Cougars 75-72.