Box Score COLUMBUS – The top-seed Columbus State men's basketball opened up tournament play against eighth-seeded Carson-Newman (Tenn.) on Saturday afternoon.
The Cougars (26-4) fly past the Eagles (21-11) in the First Round of the Southeast Regional Tournament in the Frank G. Lumpkin, Jr. Center. The game came down to the seconds as CSU ultimately won the game 75-74.
With the win, CSU men's basketball Head Coach Robert Moore snags his first NCAA Tournament win at the helm of the Cougars' program which is also the first NCAA Tournament win for CSU men's basketball since the 2005-06 season.
First Half
Columbus State was able to win the ball at tip off but were unable to get any points from it. After both teams fitting back and forth, the game opened with a three pointer from Carson-Newman. CSU was trailing 0-7 until a tipping foul occurred and Jehloni James finally got the Cougars on the board at 16:09. After a defensive rebound from Jordan Mitchell, he passed it up to Wisdom Uboh who assisted James' first three pointer of the game.
Ten minutes had passed, and the Cougars were trailing 8-17 to the Eagles. After Adderton shooting for two, Roman Son made a layup to increase their score 12-19. Kordell Brown scored seconds later assisted by Uboh.
With 7:22 left in the first half, James was able to score from three making it a two-point game. As the Eagles fly down the court James made a lifesaving block to keep Carson-Newman from increasing their lead further. Adderton ties the game at 19 after being fouled in the paint. Just seconds later, James made his third three-pointer of the game to get the Cougars ahead with five minutes left in the first half. With just over a minute left in the half and the score 28-27, Mitchell sunk a three-pointer to add more to their lead. Carson-Newman scores from three at the buzzer to take both teams to half with a score of 32-31.
Second Half
Carson-Newman had the ball to start the second half but could not make anything come from it. Adderton was able to rebound a missed attempt from the Eagles and take it down the court to score a layup. James did not lead up as he scored another three-pointer to increase the CSU lead 40-31. Carson-Newman was down by five looking to score when they turned over the ball. The Cougars get the ball to Adderton who passed it up to Mitchell who made a double handed dunk to increase the score to 48-41. With 12:19 left, Uboh made a mind-blowing pass to Brown who easily scored unopposed.
At the ten-minute mark, CSU was ahead 54-47 and continuing to maintain a healthy lead against the Eagles. Carson-Newman were on the prowl and increasing momentum when Uboh, Adderton and Harp all hopped on the three-pointer train scoring from beyond the mark. With 4:36 left in the Southeast Regional game, CSU held a comfortable lead 70-61 over the Eagles. Carson-Newman was not looking to take their foot off the gas as added pressure made the Cougars work harder for points. James made a vital block while the Eagles looked to tie. He passed it over the Mitchell who scored from the three making it a five-point game.
Less than 30-seconds to go and a difference of one, Adderton missed a layup, but the ball is blocked out before Carson-Newman can advance up the court. The Eagles have 5.5 seconds more to score but instead they foul James and the game ends. The Columbus State Cougars advance to the NCAA Southeast Regional Semifinal.
In the Numbers
Up Next
