COLUMBUS – The No. 8-ranked and top-seeded Columbus State University men's basketball program took to Herbert Greene Court on Sunday night for the program's toughest challenge this season against No. 25-ranked and fifth-seeded UNC Pembroke.
 
The Cougars (27-5) faced former Peach Belt foes, the Braves (25-6) in front of a packed crowd in the Frank G. Lumpkin Jr. Center. Despite being on their home court, the Cougars struggled to get comfortable enough to stop the dominant UNCP side after a sluggish opening few minutes.

CSU's historic season ends and will go down as Head Coach Robert Moore's best season to date. Given all of the highs of a PBC Regular Season Championship, the program's first tournament appearance since 2021, the first NCAA Tournament win since 2005-06, and two Player of the Year honors for Jarrett Adderton to name a few, the Cougars seem to finally found a winning solution as a program. CSU's core of upperclassmen have found a way to build Columbus State into national prominence once again after a bit of a hiatus.

This season is not only a testament to the student-athletes but the leadership of the Coach Moore and staff to create a winning culture. The program not only performed well on the court, but they performed well in the classroom and Coach Moore spoke highly of the well-rounded approach the men's basketball program had this season.
   

First Half
 
UNCP jumped out to a convincing 20-9 lead within the first seven minutes of play, which stunned the CSU faithful. The Cougars found it difficult to land shots in familiar territory, shooting 4-of-10 from the field to open the game.
 
The hole that was dug for the Cougars was tough to get out completely despite a 19-8 run led by eight points from D2CCA SE Region Player of the Year Adderton and 50% shooting from the field. A pair of free throws from Kordell Brown capped the run that leveled the game at 28-28 which was the closest the Cougars would get.
 
Pembroke went on to close the half with a 15-9 stretch of play to lead 43-37. Columbus shot for 44% on just 11 made baskets in the first half. In addition, shots from the perimeter were not going in, shooting just three-of-eight. 12 points came from the foul line as the Cougars shot for 75% from the line. Jarrett Adderton led with 15 points followed by six from both Roman Son and Jehloni James.
 
Second Half
 
The visitors continued to add to the tally in the second half, build up to a 14-point advantage by going on a 15-7 stretch to open the first handful of minutes. Columbus State battled hard in the second half but just could not seem to get the momentum to shift in their favor.
 
CSU's deficit remained in double figures for a majority of the half despite several spurts that cut it under a couple of times. Despite being able to answer, the Cougars were unable to get the stops needed to cut the deficit down in the 15-14 run that ended with a shot from James to make the score 73-58, UNCP.
 
Columbus State fought hard in the following few minutes to lead an 18-12 stretch of play with an additional six from Adderton to cut the UNCP lead to 85-76 with less than two minutes to play. Unfortunately, not much time was remaining for a comeback effort as CSU was forced to foul as the guests finished the game by going 6-for-10 from the foul line to secure the 91-80 win.
 
Inside the Numbers

• Columbus State notched four players in double figures while shooting for 40.7% (24-of-59) from the field, 33.3% (8-of-24) from three, and 66.7% (24-of-26) from the foul line.
• Adderton led all scorers with 26 points on the night.
• James followed with 19 points, Son scored 16, and Wisdom Uboh notched 10.
• UNCP dominated the glass by out-rebounding CSU, 44-19.
• The Braves' physicality was threatening with 40 points in the paint.
• Columbus State closes a season with 27 or more wins for the first time since 2002-03.
• CSU made it to the Second Round for the first time since 2005-06, marking Head Coach Robert Moore's first NCAA Tournament win of his career.

Wrap Up

• Columbus State closes out with a 27-5 overall record, falling just three times at home all season long.