COLUMBUS – Columbus State men's basketball welcomes Young Harris (Ga.) to the Frank G. Lumpkin Jr. Center on Friday morning. In addition, the Cougars (8-1) will host local elementary school students for Muscogee County School District Day.
 
CSU will tip-off against the Mountain Lions (9-3), a former Peach Belt Conference rival, at 11 a.m. ET on Herbert Greene Court. Young Harris has taken the last three matchups from Columbus State with the Cougars holding a 9-14 record versus the Mountain Lions.
 
Scouting the Mountain Lions
 
Young Harris is riding high on a four-game streak in the win column, coming off a 78-70 win at Belmont Abbey (N.C.). The Mountain Lions are 9-3 overall and are 4-1 in Conference Carolinas action.
 
This season, YHC has shot for 48.9% from the field, 37.3% from three, and 72% from the foul line. As a team, YHC averages 36.4 rebounds, 14.4 assists, 6.0 steals, and 2.4 blocks per game.
 
The Mountain Lions are led by the dynamic duo of Carl Cleveland and Karl Chavis, both of whom are averaging double figure scoring. Cleveland is the leading scorer with 18.0 ppg followed by Chavis' 16.1 ppg.
 
Cleveland also leads off the glass with an average of 7.4 rebounds per contest while Morgan Rashed leads with an average of 2.8 assists followed by Chavis with 2.5 assists per game.
 
Previewing the Cougars
 
Columbus State is riding a six-game wave of wins into Friday's contest with the program's best start since the 2021-22 season, marking an 8-1 record and 1-0 slate in PBC play. CSU is coming off a dominant home victory over Reinhardt (Ga.) on Tuesday night, setting season highs and nearly matching the program record in made three-pointers in the process.
 
As a team, CSU is scoring and average of 82.4 points per contest with an 11.1 scoring margin. The Cougars are shooting for 45.6% from the field, 35.3% from three and 73.7% from the charity stripe this season.
 
Leading the way is Jarrett Adderton with 22.1 ppg and 1.4 steals per game. Adderton is also second on the team in rebounding with an average of 5.3 boards per contest while Jehloni James leads with an average of 6.2. Roman Son and Rakeim Gary dish out averages of 3.7 and 3.6 assists, respectively. The duo helps to tally a team average of 15.4 assists per game.
 
Columbus State set or matched new season bests in at least six different categories on Tuesday night and look to continue the hot form into Friday's contest. The Cougars have scored 100-plus points twice this season and have scored double-digit three-pointers in four contests.
 
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