COLUMBUS — The Columbus State University Men's Basketball team advanced to the Peach Belt Conference Tournament Semifinals with a dominant defensive performance Wednesday evening, defeating Georgia Southwestern State University, 63-44, in the quarterfinal round inside the Frank G. Lumpkin Jr. Center.
With the victory, Columbus State improves to 22-7 overall and moves one step closer to the Peach Belt Conference championship.
Columbus State controlled the contest from the outset and never relinquished the lead, using a balanced scoring attack and strong rebounding presence to dictate the pace. The Cougars out-rebounded Georgia Southwestern 49-43, held the Hurricanes to 27.3 percent shooting (18-of-66) from the field and just 3-of-34 (8.8 percent) from beyond the arc, while turning defensive stops into offense with 19 fast-break points, 13 points off turnovers, and a 38-28 advantage in the paint.
Pascal Volz led Columbus State with 12 points, connecting on 5-of-11 from the field and 2-of-4 from three-point range.
Marlon Smith contributed a strong all-around performance with 11 points and a game-high 16 rebounds, anchoring the Cougars on the glass.
Jordan Mitchell added nine points and nine rebounds, while
Lee Langstaff II also finished with nine points. Off the bench,
Aaron Smith provided a spark with eight points and five rebounds, helping Columbus State produce 18 bench points.
The Cougars established control early, building a halftime advantage behind steady defensive pressure and efficient free-throw shooting. Columbus State shot 10-of-31 (32.3 percent) in the opening half but converted all six free-throw attempts, taking a 27-20 lead into the break.
In the second half, Columbus State found greater offensive rhythm, shooting 42.9 percent (15-of-35) from the floor while continuing to disrupt the Hurricanes' offense. The Hurricanes managed just 31.3 percent shooting in the final 20 minutes. They were limited to one three-pointer in the half as the Cougars gradually extended the margin to secure the 19-point victory.
The win advances Columbus State to the Peach Belt Conference Tournament Semifinals, as the Cougars will travel to Greenwood, S.C., on Saturday, March 7, to face the University of North Georgia, with tip-off scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
