LIVINGSTON, Ala. – With just over six seconds remaining  in the contest, Columbus State senior forward Darius Mcknight put in a game-winning basket to propel his team to a 68-66 thriller over the University of West Alabama men's basketball team Wednesday evening at Pruitt Hall.
 
With the loss, the Tigers have now dropped six-straight dating back to a Nov. 12 defeat against Lynn College. UWA falls to 1-6 on the year, while Columbus State improves to 3-1.
 
McKnight's game-clinching shot came after UWA managed to knot the game up at 66-66 with two made free-throws by Tiger junior guard Philip Morris with 13 seconds remaining. Off the ensuing inbounds pass, CSU guard Winford Ivey took it the length of the floor and dished it to a streaking McKnight who put the final points on the board. The Tigers then took the ball down the court where junior guard Jared Woolfolk missed what could have been the game-winning three-point shot.
 
The final seconds were set up by a back-and-forth contest throughout. In a game that featured five ties and 13 lead changes, the Tigers managed to take CSU into the closing seconds thanks in large part to a strong defensive effort.  For the game, UWA forced 19 Cougar turnovers, while allowing 13 assists.
 
It was the Columbus State defense that went to work; however, as the Cougars held UWA to just 35 percent shooting from the field, including a 29 percent mark in the first half. CSU also scored 23 points off of Tiger miscues, forcing 16 for the game.
 
UWA did have three players score in double figures with Woolfolk leading the way once again with 18 points on the evening.  Meanwhile, Columbus State was paced by McKnight's double-double (24 points, 10 rebounds).
 
The Tigers are now set for a rematch with CSU on Dec. 10 in Columbus, Ga. at 2 p.m.
 
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