NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Columbus State 89 – Clayton State 66
Records: Lakers (0-3, 0-3 PBC) – Cougars (1-1, 1-1 PBC)
Series History: Columbus State leads 33-19
 
COLUMBUS, Ga. – The Clayton State men's basketball team dropped its third-straight game of the season after an 89-66 loss at Columbus State Wednesday night in a Peach Belt Conference matchup.
 
The first half belonged to Columbus State (1-1, 1-1 PBC) as the Cougars jumped out a 4-0 lead before Justin Figueroa's 3-pointer brought the Lakers (0-3, 0-3 PBC) within one point. Columbus State then used a 7-0 run to pull ahead 11-3 before extending its leads to 25-9 with 10:43 left to play in the opening half.
 
The Lakers fought back but trailed 47-25 at half.
 
The Cougars held their 20-point margin throughout the final 20 minutes and cruised to their first win of the season.
 
Figueroa had a team-high 18 points, six rebounds and three assists while Kobie Johnson chipped in with 15 points and went 4-for-5 from the 3-point line.
 
Ricardo Saams Jr. scored 16 and had five rebounds and two blocks.

COMING UP:
- The Lakers return home to face USC Aiken on Saturday, January 16, and Georgia Southwestern on January 20th.
- Clayton State then travels to Augusta University (Jan. 23) and Young Harris (Jan. 27).

TURNING POINT:
- Leading 4-3, Columbus State jumped out a 25-9 lead midway in the first quarter.
 
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Columbus State's Kalen Clifton scored a game-high 20 points.

NEWS AND NOTES:
- Clayton State played 11 players while Columbus State played 15.  

 
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