COLUMBUS – The Columbus State University Men's Basketball team came up just short Saturday afternoon, falling 77-75 to the University of South Carolina - Beaufort in a tightly contested Peach Belt Conference match-up inside the Frank G. Lumpkin Jr. Center.
Columbus State battled throughout in a game that featured four ties and three lead changes, but USC Beaufort converted key possessions late to escape with the two-point road victory. The Cougars had opportunities down the stretch but were unable to convert in the final moments.
Marlon Smith delivered a dominant performance, leading all scorers with a game-high 30 points while pulling down 12 rebounds for a double-double. Smith went 13-for-17 from the free-throw line and logged 38 minutes, anchoring the Cougars on both ends of the floor.
Pascal Volz added 12 points and seven rebounds, while
Jaylen Harris chipped in 11 points off the bench.
Lee Langstaff II finished with 10 points, three assists, and three steals, and
Jordan Mitchell contributed nine points and four rebounds.
Columbus State shot 43.9 percent from the field and held a 38-40 edge in points in the paint, while forcing 13 turnovers. However, the Cougars were limited to 5-of-20 shooting from beyond the arc and 20-for-29 at the free-throw line.
With the loss, Columbus State moves to 10–5 overall and 4–3 in Peach Belt Conference play and will return to action on Wednesday, January 14, traveling to Milledgeville, Ga., to face Georgia College inside the Centennial Center with tip-off set for 7:30 p.m.
