COLUMBUS, Ga. – In a game that featured eight ties and was within a single-digit margin throughout, Lander battled hard but dropped a 75-67 decision to No. 11 Columbus State on Saturday afternoon at the Lumpkin Center.
Inady Legiste's 16 points paced the Bearcats (15-11, 9-7 PBC), who were playing in their third game this week and have two regular-season games remaining next week.
Noah Dunn (14 points) and
Terry Leonard Jr. (12) were the other Bearcats in double figures. Legiste also had the team high with nine rebounds and Dunn had eight.
Sebastian Augustave and
Jeremiah Holloway both had four assists.
The teams were tied at 16 after the first eight-plus minutes – which proved to be a harbinger of things to come.
One of Augustave's three 3s tied the game again at 23 with 6:24 left in the opening half. Legiste then had a pair of free throws to put Lander ahead 27-23 a minute later.
Columbus State (23-3, 14-2 PBC) took a 36-34 lead into the locker room.
The game was tied at 36, 38, 40 and 42 over the first five minutes of the second half.
After trailing by six, Legiste and Leonard Jr. combined for seven points to pull the Bearcats back within 50-49 with 10:44 remaining in the game.
The Cougars again opened up a six-point lead but Lander trimmed it to 60-58 with seven minutes left, though that was the closest they would get.
Lander is set to host its Senior Night game this Wednesday (Feb. 26) against Flagler inside
Finis Horne Arena. Game-time is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. with ceremonies to take place prior to opening tip.
