COLUMBUS - The Columbus State University men's basketball team drops second game in a row 76-66 to Augusta. CSU is now 2-4 in PBC play and 9-7 overall. Augusta continues impressive season improving to 15-1 and a perfect 6-0 in PBC play. 

The game couldn't have been any better scripted as the Cougars gave Augusta all they could handle. They forced the Jaguars into tough shots, turnovers, and early foul trouble as the Lumpkin Center couldn't have been louder. 

Columbus State was extremely efficient shooting the ball as they scored on 52 percent of the shots they took in the first half. The Cougars were also 9-13 from the free-throw line as they took advantage of their opportunities at the charity stripe. Nelson Haskin was a beast on the court today and the Senior leader scored 20 points and was one rebound short of a double-double. Haskin was also a force in the paint as he rejected three shots and he added a steal helping CSU to a 36-35 lead going into halftime.

Augusta struggled in the first half shooting only 15 percent from three but any struggles they had in the first half went away as they exploded shooting 42 percent from the floor and 40 percent from three-point range. 

Six total lead changes and eight times the game was tied doesn't describe the heart and determination of both teams. Augusta got double-digit points from all five starters while Columbus State had point contributions from 10 different players. The Jaguars senior, Miguel Arnold, stepped up every time his name was called. He was automatic with tough defense all around him as he shot daggers from three-point range down the stretch. He finished with 21 points to push the Jaguars past the Cougars .

NOTES:
- CSU is 1-4 their last five home games
- sixth game for Nelson Haskin where he has double-digit points
- second highest shooting percentage of the season in a game (48%) 
- second lowest three-point attempts (11)
- held Augusta to their fifth lowest point total of the season (76)
- Jehloni James, Grant Howard, and Demierre Black all had nine points

UP NEXT:
The Cougars travel to Greenwood, SC on Jan. 18th to take on the Lander Bearcats who came to Columbus and beat the Cougars 74-59 on Dec. 15th. Columbus State is looking to win their first game at Lander since 2018.