PEMBROKE, N.C. - The Columbus State University men's basketball team (7-5, 0-2 PBC) traveled to Pembroke, N.C. to take on the Braves of the University of North Carolina at Pembroke for their last game of 2022 on Saturday afternoon. They dropped their third straight game, losing 65-73 to UNCP. UNC Pembroke improves to 12-1, winning their fifth straight. 

CSU was firing on all cylinders toward the last five minutes of the first half when they went on a 23-6 run to take the lead going into halftime. Joshua Jerome and Daniel Melvin were fantastic for the Cougars, combining for 26 points, Joshua with 14 and Daniel with 12. Jerome led CSU in almost every category as he led in points (14), rebounds (8), and steals (4).  

Although the Cougars shot better than the Braves from three-point range, the second half was all UNCP as they tallied 45 points compared to Columbus State who scored 30. Pembroke was strong on the glass as they came down with 34 rebounds while nine of them were offensive rebounds. The Cougars allowed UNCP to shoot 62 percent from the field in the second half and 52 percent all game.

UP NEXT:
Columbus State will look to kick-off the New Year in a big way as they travel to St. Augustine, Fla. on Wednesday, Jan. 4 for a monumental Peach Belt Conference clash against the Flagler College Saints. Flagler lost their last time out 84-81 to Tampa and they will be looking to get back in the win column as well.