NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Clayton State 69 – Columbus State 67
Records: Lakers (8-16, 3-11 PBC) – Cougars (16-8, 7-7 PBC)
All-Time Series: Columbus State Leads 34-20
 
MORROW Ga. – In front of a packed house, the Clayton State men's basketball held off a late rally and beat Columbus State 69-67 in Saturday's Homecoming matchup.
 
A Ricardo Lynch 3-pointer with 5:19 left to play gave the Lakers a 66-54 lead. Clayton State looked poised to take the win, but the Cougars started chipping away at the lead and used a full-court press to quickly bring themselves back into the game.
 
With 1:59 remaining, Hunter Preston knocked down a three to cut the deficit to two.
 
Ricardo Saams Jr would get fouled with 1:50 on the clock but hit both free throws to make it a four-point game.
 
Saams Jr would be on the other end of an ensuing shooting foul, giving Columbus State three free throws attempts. Langston Gaither would go on to hit all three with 1:24 left.
 
The Lakers would then hold on for the win as Xavier Joyner hit a free throw with 14 seconds.
 
Lynch scored a game-high 24 points while going 5-of-8 from three.
 
Jalen Shaw registered his Peach Belt Conference best 10th double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds. He also had three blocks and two assists.
 
The first half was close for 20 minutes as the game was tied 34-34 at halftime.
 
The Lakers pulled away in the second, leading by as many as 14 with 6:39 remaining in the game until the Cougars mounted a comeback.  
 
Brian Coffey II added 14 points while Saams Jr. had 12 rebounds and six points.

Up Next:
- The men are on the road Wednesday for a conference matchup at Flagler. Tipoff is set for 7:30.
 
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