COLUMBUS, Ga.  – The Jaguars (12-5, 4-4 PBC) let the Columbus State Cougars (13-2, 6-1 PBC) get on an early run and they never truly recovered as Kenney Funderburk scored a game-high 30 points for CSU in route to their 82-65 Peach Belt Conference victory in the Lumpkin Center.

The Jags are now 10-5 against CSU with Head Coach Dip Metress at the helm.

Each team missed their opening chances on offense, but senior Devonte Thomas stayed hot from three-point land and drained a deep one for the first score. Thomas paced GRU with 16 points on the night. Funderburk came alive early for the Cougars and hit a trey and jumper, while also getting to the free-throw line to steal a quick five-point lead.

The Cougars made five three pointers in the opening period and were paced by Funderburk who reached double-figure points early. Funderburk ended the first half with a three pointer and a layup to give CSU a 42-25 lead into the break. The Jags struggled from the floor and with 10 minutes remaining in the game, they were only 15-of-45 from the floor. Vlad Cobzaru and Tamyrik Fields picked the team up off the bench by finding productive looks from the floor, but the Cougars never backed down.

CSU had over 20 points off the Jags' 11 turnovers at the 9:22 mark and with Funderburk already with a game-high 30 points, the deficit was too much to overcome.

Thomas carried the Jags with 16 points on four three pointers, while Vlad Cobzaru came off the bench for 12 points. Tamyrik Fields also provided for GRU off the bench with 10 points on a perfect 5-5 from the floor.

The Jags posted a 41.9 field-goal percentage to CSU's 53.4 and the Cougars had a total 23 points off turnovers to GRU's 14.

The Jags play at Young Harris Monday Jan. 19 at 3:30 p.m. for another league game.

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