COLUMBUS, Ga. -- The Georgia Southwestern State University men's basketball team drained a season-high 15 shots from behind the arc to pull away from Columbus State University for a 95-78 win Wednesday evening in the Lumpkin Center and complete a season sweep of the Cougars. It's the Hurricanes first home-and-home sweep of Columbus State since 2013-14.
GSW posted its most accurate 3-point shooting night in a Peach Belt Conference game in program history by connecting on 15 of 25 from long range (60 percent).
The Hurricanes improved to 12-8 overall and - while still having six Peach Belt games remaining this season - have the most wins in conference play in three years sitting at 8-8. Columbus State lost its fourth straight game to fall to 6-13 overall, 6-10 in the PBC.
Jacori Payne was one of only two Columbus State players to score in double figures and he led the team with 31 points.
How It Happened: Andre Statam set the pace early as he sank three from behind the arc in the opening 4:19 to put GSW out front 12-4.
Jason Weaver's 3-pointer with 6:48 left until the break marked the seventh from long range in the half for GSW and gave the Hurricanes their largest lead of the night, 17 points, at 31-14. Columbus State managed to trim the GSW advantage to 38-27 by halftime.
The Cougars opened the second half on a 16-5 run to even the score at 43-43 with 16 minutes remaining, but shifted its focus on the offensive end to 3-point shooting and went ice cold. Columbus State made one of its next six attempts from long range and the Hurricanes used that opportunity to regain the lead for good and open a nine-point advantage, 63-54, with 9:46 to play.
Columbus State had one last run left and cut the margin to four points with 7:38 remaining, but GSW scored on 11 of its next 12 trips down the floor to pull away and seal the victory.
GSW finished with a 20-9 advantage in assists and outrebounded an opponent (38-29) for the first time since Jan. 10, when these teams last met.
Already down a man due to a season-ending injury to starting point guard Quenten Taylor back on Jan. 15, GSW had to play the majority of this game without its big man as well. Hasaan Buggs ran into foul trouble early and was limited to 12 minutes of action, but managed to tie for the game high with five assists.
Who Stood Out: The Hurricanes bench made its biggest impact of the season as each of the three players to see action scored in double figures. Weaver led the charge with a career-high 18 points. Weaver made 5 of 6 shots, including both attempts from beyond the arc, and joined fellow freshman John Mason with eight rebounds to lead all players. Mason added 11 points and made 2 of 3 attempts from long range. Daijion Macklien made 5 of 7 shots, scored 11 points, grabbed four rebounds and dished out four assists.
R.J. Sessions led GSW in scoring with 22 points. Statam finished with 18 points and four assists.
Up Next: The Hurricanes travel to USC Aiken (11-9,, 8-8 PBC) on Saturday for a 3:30 p.m. game against the Pacers.