COLUMBUS – The Frank G. Lumpkin, Jr. Center was lively and energetic on Tuesday night as the Columbus State men's basketball team hosted Francis Marion (S.C.) for the 2024-25 home opener.
 
After a first half slump and a slow start to the second, the Cougars (6-1) erased a 24-point deficit to extend the game into overtime. CSU would go on to secure an 83-74 victory over the Patriots (3-6) with a solid overtime showing.
 
First Half
 
Jarrett Adderton lifted the Cougars to an early 11-5 lead in the opening two minutes, scoring all 11 points which included nine from beyond-the-arc. Adderton added one bucket more to the tally at the 16:45 mark before Francis Marion chipped away at the lead and leveled the game at 15-15 with 12:36 to play in the half.
 
A dunk from Jordan Mitchell and a pair of free throws from Wisdom Uboh gave CSU a four-point lead with 10 minutes remaining. However, the Patriots responded with a 17-9 run in the last half of the first and secured a 34-28 lead at the break. CSU finished the half shooting for 33.3% from the field (11-of-33) and 25% (4-of-16) from three with Adderton leading the way with 13 points.
 
Second Half
 
Francis Marion came out of the half and slowly built up to a lead which seemed too much to handle for the Cougars, however, Columbus State would not go down without a fight. After going behind the Patriots 54-30 with 14:22 on the clock, the Cougars surged with a 34-11 run over the next 10 and half minutes. Jehloni James led with 10 points followed by eight from Joshua Guilford.
 
After a switch into full-court pressure and capturing 17 points in fast break transitions, the Cougars regained momentum and confidence in the second half. A layup from James at the 3:51 mark would give CSU a 64-63 edge before the game closed in close back-and-forth play which saw FMU finish with a 5-4 edge to force overtime.
 
Overtime
 
Kordell Brown opened the scoring for the Cougars to move to a 70-68 lead early in the overtime period. The Patriots answered a couple of minutes later to level the game again. After a pair of free throws from Rakeim Gary, the visitors would go on to tie the game once more.
 
Fortunately for the Cougars, a trey from Adderton at the 53-second mark would spark desperation from Francis Marion as they began fouling in attempt to pull the game back within reach. CSU would go on to make all eight of their final free throws down the stretch with six coming from Gary to secure the 83-74 victory.
 
Inside the Numbers

• Columbus State finished shooting for 32.9% (25-of-76) from the field, 23.5% (8-of-34) from three, and 78.1% (25-of-32) from the foul line.
• Adderton led with a game-high 24 points, recording his fifth game with 20 or more points. He also added six rebounds and two steals.
• James finished with 14 points and seven rebounds in addition to a pair of blocks and steals.
• Gary went a perfect 12-of-12 from the foul line and tallied a team-leading five assists and adding three steals as well.
• FMU led 52-36 in rebounding.
• Turnovers were key in CSU's success as FMU gave away 32 turnovers.
• The Cougars recorded 16 steals and scored 30 points off turnovers.

Next Up

• Columbus State will shift focus to a brief stint of conference play with a road contest at Georgia College on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET in Milledgeville, Ga.