AIKEN, S.C. - The fifth-seeded Columbus State University men's basketball team led nearly wire-to-wire in an overwhelming 91-74 victory over fourth-seeded USC Aiken in the Peach Belt Conference Tournament semifinals in the Convocation Center on Wednesday night.

The Cougars (20-9) led for 93% of the game and closed out the Pacers by outscoring USCA 17-7 over the final six minutes of the game.

"These guys didn't want their season to end tonight," commented head coach Robert Moore. "So many different people stepped up and contributed tonight. It was a team win, and we got to continue to fight. We can enjoy this one for the night, but we are 0-0 when the sunrises in the morning."

Columbus State nearly had three 20-point scorers on Wednesday, with Hunter Preston leading the way with a 25-point and 10-rebound double-double. Langston Gaither and Grant Howard had 19, while Devan Porter-Wilson chipped in 11.

CSU gained control of the game early after USC Aiken jumped out to a quick 4-2 lead. A Lederrius Jones basket jumped started a 15-4 run, putting the Cougars in front 17-8 eight minutes in. 

After CSU took its first double-digit lead of the night, the Pacers fought back, getting within four (29-25) after going 4-for-4 from the floor in a 9-3 run. Columbus State stifled the attack, thanks to Gaither and Preston. The duo scored the final 13 points of the first half to give the Cougars a 42-36 lead.

Columbus State had another response for a USC Aiken push early in the second half. The Pacers cut the deficit to four (45-41) at the 17:15 mark before the Cougars rattled off a 12-1 run to go up 57-42. CSU got hot from deep as Porter-Wilson nailed two 3-pointers while Preston added another.

Howard had the dagger at the 9:20 mark after a long 3-pointer began a 10-4 run that saw CSU grab a 77-65 lead with just over five minutes to go. The Cougars would then cruise to the win.

Columbus State shot an impressive 57.1% (36-for-63) from the floor and was 9-for-24 (37.5%) from long range. 

Preston Parks scored 18 for the Pacers as the team shot 43.1% (25-for-58) from the floor. USCA was just 27.3% (6-for-22) on 3-point attempts.

UP NEXT
Columbus State will play 10th-ranked and top-seeded Augusta University in the PBC Tournament semifinals on Friday, March 4. Tipoff time will be announced on Wednesday.

COUGAR NOTES
• It's the first 20-win season for CSU since the 2016-17 campaign 
• CSU's 57.1% field goal percentage was a season-high
• The Cougars shot 53.3% (8-for-15) from 3-point range in the second half. CSU was 1-for-9 in the first half
• Nelson Haskin had four blocks to move into fourth all-time in the CSU single-season block list with 70. The junior also now has 89 in his career and is tied for sixth all-time in CSU history
• Preston has scored 20 or more points in three of the last four games. He scored over 20 points in all three games against USC Aiken this season
• Gaither and Jones both had four assists
• The Cougars had 11 steals, with four players having two
• CSU is now 40-20 all-time in PBC Tournament play and 10-8 under Robert Moor