AMERICUS, Ga. — The Georgia Southwestern State University men's basketball team trimmed its turnover total to a season low and carried a halftime lead into the locker room, but a three-pointer inside the final second proved the difference as Columbus State edged the Hurricanes, 75-72, Saturday night in a Peach Belt Conference matchup inside the Storm Dome.
The setback marked GSW's third consecutive loss and extended Columbus State's recent run in the series, as the Cougars have now won five straight and eight of the last nine meetings between the programs.
Hurricanes Control the Tempo Early
Georgia Southwestern set the tone early by taking care of the basketball and finding rhythm offensively, shooting 46.2 percent from the floor in the opening half. The Hurricanes closed the first 20 minutes on a 6-0 run, capped by a fast-break three from
Matthew Webster, to take a 38-36 lead into halftime.
JR Jacobs paced the Hurricanes early, scoring 10 first-half points, while Webster knocked down three triples before the break. GSW committed just four turnovers in the opening half, helping offset Columbus State's efficiency inside.
Back-and-Forth Second Half
The second half featured five ties and four lead changes as neither team was able to create separation. GSW briefly pushed its advantage to 10 midway through the period, but the Cougars answered with timely baskets to claw back.
Webster connected on a corner three to give GSW its final lead of the night, 66-65, lead with 3:18 remaining, and
Amir Reaves followed with a driving layup to tie the game at 70 with just over a minute left.
Final Possessions Decide It
After Reaves drained a pair of free throws to even the score at 72 with 30 seconds to play, Columbus State played for the final shot and Jydon Hall buried a three-pointer with under a second remaining, giving the Cougars the final edge.
By the Numbers
Jacobs and
Keshawn Brown Jr. led the Hurricanes with 17 points apiece, while Webster added 16 on 4 of 5 shooting from beyond the arc. Reaves finished with 11 points and five assists.
GSW committed just seven turnovers — its fewest in a game this season — and went 18 of 19 from the free throw line (94.7 percent). Columbus State countered with nine three-pointers and shot 51.7 percent from the field. Each of the Hurricanes opponents have shot over 50 percent during the team's three-game skid.
Next Up
GSW hits the road for a pair of road games next week, starting with a trip to USC Aiken on Wednesday.
