MORROW, Ga. – The Columbus State University Men's Basketball team picked up a gritty 70-68 win over the University of West Florida on Saturday afternoon at the Clayton State Classic. The Cougars battled through a back-and-forth matchup that featured 11 ties and 13 lead changes before closing out the final minute with just enough composure to secure the victory.

Columbus State shot an efficient 49.1% from the field and connected on seven threes, leaning on timely shots throughout both halves. Marlon Smith led the way with 19 points, knocking down four threes while grabbing seven rebounds. Jordan Mitchell added a steady 15 points in 38 minutes, while Pascal Volz and Ahmed-Sory Soumahoro chipped in eight points apiece to keep the Cougars' offense moving.

The Cougars trailed by three at the half but quickly settled in after the break. A pair of early second-half jumpers from Volz and a three from Mitchell helped Columbus State regain rhythm, and a mid-period stretch of back-to-back baskets from Masiah Jones and Soumahoro gave Columbus State one of its largest leads of the afternoon.

Defensively, the Cougars forced nine turnovers and held West Florida to 42% shooting in the second half. CSU also limited the Argonauts to just four fast-break points after halftime, tightening up transition defense during the most critical stretches.

West Florida's Aric Demings kept the game close with a 17-point effort, but CSU responded each time down the stretch, finishing the final two minutes with poise to earn the victory.

With the win, Columbus State improved to 2–2 and will travel to Francis Marion University on Friday, November 28, for a 7:00 p.m. tip-off in Florence, S.C., as part of the Francis Marion Thanksgiving Classic.