November 7, 2005

Columbus State placed five players in double-digit scoring here Friday night as the Cougars took a 93-80 exhibition basketball win over Albany State.

Quay Holloway came off the bench in the home opener to net 18 points to lead the CSU effort.

The Cougars shot 51 percent in the first half and pulled out to a double-digit lead late, thanks in part to 12 points from Holloway. The junior transfer from Southern Union hit three treys and was fouled on another -- making all three charity tosses. Those three free-throws put the Cougars up 45-33 and they would take a 51-39 lead into the break.

CSU jumped out to a big lead early in the second half, only to have the Golden Rams come charging back. CSU opened the half with a 14-6 run to take a 65-45 lead with 13:06 to play, and would lead by as many as 21 before Albany State started chipping away.

The Golden Rams used a 27-8 run -- aided by nine CSU turnovers -- to get back within two points at 76-74 with 5:24 to play. A three-pointer by Scheraun King and a free-throw, also by King on the next possession, capped the run. CSU then seemed to wake up and answered the big run with a 17-6 stretch to close the game and take the 13-point win.

In addition to Holloways 18, the Cougars got 14 points each from Nathan Patterson and Ransom Antoine. Patterson had a big night as he led all rebounders with 11 to complete a double-double. Corris Portis added 13 points, while Justin Wilson chipped in 10. CSU also got nine points each from Ron Robinson and Will Davis.

Jarett Mathis led the Golden Rams with 19, followed by 18 from Travon McGruder and 17 from Frank Pinson.

CSU will open its regular season next Friday at the Disney Division II Tip-Off Classic against Philadelphia. Game time is set for 1 p.m.