ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. - The Columbus State University men's basketball team couldn't get its offense going on Saturday in a 69-60 loss to No. 21 Flagler College. The Peach Belt Conference game took place inside the Flagler Gymnasium & Clark Family Court.

CSU (15-7, 6-6 PBC) shot just 33.8% (23-for-68) on Saturday and was 5-for-23 (21.7%) from beyond the arc.

"When you don't hit shots, don't expect to win," said head coach Robert Moore. "There's a reason why Flagler is one of the best teams in the nation, and we just didn't have enough to beat a team of their caliber today."

Both teams started slow, with Columbus State holding a 4-0 lead at the first media timeout. After being down 6-0, FC ran off 11 straight points to pull in front at the midway mark of the half. The two teams slugged it out until the break, where the Saints would take a 24-22 lead.

The offense was much better in the second half, especially for the Saints. FC shot over 55% in the second half after going 8-for-31 in the first.

Flagler held a slim 28-27 lead after a made basket from Hunter Preston at the 18:31 mark before going on a 6-0 run to move in front 34-27. The Cougars had an answer though, scoring 10 unanswered to jump ahead 37-34 at the 13:25 mark. Grant Howard and Preston each had five in the spurt.

Columbus State would remain in front until the 9:41 mark when Spencer Bain hit a 3-pointer to put the Saints back on top 44-42. CSU wouldn't regain the lead for the remainder of the game.

Flagler wouldn't pull away from the Cougars, but the Saints were able to ice the game at the free throw line, going 11-for-13 at the line over the final five minutes to secure the win.

Jaizec Lottie scored 21 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for the Saints. He also dished out a game-high six assists. Jalen Barr had a monster game, posting a 17-point, 19-rebound double-double.

Preston posted a double-double for the Cougars with 16 points and 10 rebounds. He also had three assists. Langston Gaither and Howard added 12 points apiece.

UP NEXT
Columbus State will look to bounce back inside the Frank G. Lumpkin Jr. Center on Wednesday, Feb. 9 against Young Harris College. Tipoff is at 7:30 p.m.

GAME NOTES
• Flagler out-rebounded Columbus State 53-36 and had 20 second-chance points
• Barr's 19 rebounds are the most by a player in the PBC this season
• The Cougars fall to 2-2 against nationally-ranked opponents this season
• It was Preston's fourth double-double this season. All four have come since Jan. 12. 
• Columbus State's 33.8% shooting percentage was a season low