Taking the lead early in the game, the Cougars (10-4, 4-1) pressed the North Georgia (7-4, 4-2) offense and controlled the tempo of the game. The Saints capitalized on their shooting opportunities and connected on 16-of-31 shots in the first half to keep the game close. Every time the Cougars looked to pull away, North Georgia connected on a big shot to keep the game close. As the half came to a close, CSU found itself only up 47-43.

North Georgia came out on a 10-1 run to open the second half and take the lead 53-50 two minutes into the second frame. A three from junior guard Matt Causey put the Saints up 58-50 and gave them their largest lead of the evening. At one point, it looked as if the Cougars might fold, but CSU continued to pick at the Saints until they tied the game 76-76 with 5:40 left off of a three from junior guard Ron Robinson.

With the score knotted 81-81with 3:12 remaining in the game, senior forward Ransom Antoine knocked down a pair from the charity stripe to put the Cougars up for good. North Georgia did all it could in the waning minutes of the game, but could not surge past CSU and lost their second consecutive Peach Belt Conference game 93-88.

All five starters posted double figures for the Saints with junior forward Mark Trust netting 20 points with 12 rebounds to tally his second double-double of the season as well as a season high in points. Causey also put in a double-double effort in the game with a game high 10 assists and 19 points. Senior guard Mark Causey came back after missing Saturday's game and scored 16 points with six assists. Senior forward Marcus Robinson added 12 and junior guard Buzz Wehunt had 11.

For the Cougars, senior forward Nathan Patterson led all scorers with 21 points and a whopping 16 rebounds for his second double-double of the season. Junior guard Justin Wilson came off the bench and added 14 points along with Antoine and Robinson who each had 13 points. Sophomore guard Corris Portis added 12 points and team high four assists in the win.

North Georgia will be back in action on Saturday at 5:00 p.m. as they host Georgia College & State University. CSU will take on Francis Marion University at home on Saturday for a game set to tip-off at 4:00 p.m.

Mark Causey