AUGUSTA, Ga. - The amazing run came to a heartbreaking close on Saturday as the seventh-seeded Columbus State University men's basketball team fell 86-84 to fourth-ranked and second-seeded Queens University in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.

After battling all day, a last-second 3-pointer was off the mark for CSU (20-11), allowing the Royals to escape with the victory. 

"My heart goes out to this team," commented head coach Robert Moore. "They fought, not just today, but for this entire season. Those guys went through some unthinkable things, and for them to be playing in March was an amazing accomplishment.

"Queens made the plays when they needed to, and we were so close at the end."

It was tight throughout as neither side was able to pull away early. The Cougars held a 24-20 lead after a 3-pointer from Hunter Preston before Queens stormed back with an 11-3 run to move ahead 31-27 with under six to go in the first.

Another 3-pointer from Preston and a bucket from Christain Chambers gave the lead back to CSU, but Queens had an answer. The Royals rattled off the game's next 10 points to help build a 48-39 halftime lead.

Queens was able to grab a 10-point lead (50-40) early in the second before the Cougars stormed back. CSU struck for a 10-2 run with a 3-pointer from Devan Porter-Wilson capping off the spurt, forcing a QU timeout. The Cougars tied the game at 54 minutes later on a Chambers jumper.

The Royals fended off the rally and went back up seven (71-64) with under eight to play, but the Cougars continued to compete. A 3-pointer from Porter-Wilson and two free throws by Langston Gaither pulled the Cougars within two (71-69) with 6:15 to go.

Columbus State's deficit hovered around the three-point mark until Gaither nailed a trifecta to pull the Cougars within one (81-80) with 1:25 left to play. 

QU continued to hold a single possession lead into the closing minutes before Langston once again made it a one-point game (85-84) on a layup with 15 seconds to go. 

After the Royals went 1-for-2 at the free throw line, CSU's game-winning 3-point attempt was off the mark, allowing Queens to escape with the win. 

Five CSU players scored in double figures led by 21 from Gaither. Preston recorded a 16-point, 12-rebound double-double, while Chambers poured in 19. Grant Howard and Porter-Wilson both had 10 for the Cougars.

CSU shot 45.7% (32-for-70) and was 9-for-27 (33.3%) from deep.

Jamari Smith scored a game-high 24 points for Queens. Kenny Dye and Josh Dilling had 15 and 11 points, respectively. 

The Royals posted a 43.5% (27-for-62) clip from the floor and were just 7-of-28 (25%) from 3-point range.

GAME NOTES
• Queens held a massive advantage from the free throw line, going 25-for-28. On the other hand, CSU was 11-of-17
• Six Cougars scored all 84 points on Saturday
• It was the eighth time this season that Gaither scored 20 or more
• Preston ends the 2021-22 season with nine double-doubles
• CSU is still in search for its first NCAA Tournament win since 2006