ST. AUGUSTINE – Columbus State University was on fire in the first half, making 55% of its shots, but needed to withstand Flagler College's resiliency in the second half to escape with a hard-fought 81-75 win in a Peach Belt Conference men's basketball game Wednesday night at Flagler Gymnasium.

Columbus State has now reeled off nine wins in a row to improve to 16-2 overall and 10-1 in the Peach Belt. Flagler fell to 8-10 overall and 3-8 in conference play.

Kenney Funderburk led five Cougars in double-figures with 18 points and he added four assists. Shane Heyward recorded a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds while DeAngelo Kirkland, the PBC Player of the Week, added his own double-double with 15 points and 13 boards. BJ Battle and Shevren Keaton chipped in with 16 and 10 points, respectively. Ty Harris tallied seven assists, all in the first half.

The Cougars wound up shooting 50.8% (32-63) for the game and held a 40-20 advantage over the Saints in scoring in the paint.

Jerrell Oxendine led Flagler with 18 points and dished out seven assists. He made 10 of his 11 free throw shots. Kessler Bell scored a career-high 16 points while Keshaun Hamilton contributed 15 points and nine rebounds. Lydell Manigo and Matt Clark tacked on 13 and 11 points, respectively.

After a Clark triple pulled Flagler to within four points (28-24), the Cougars went on an 18-6 tear over the next 2:53 to sprint out to a 46-30 lead. Battle sank three 3-pointers to close the run for Columbus State.

The Saints closed the deficit to less than 10 points (61-52) when Bell drained a 3-pointer from the left side of the arc.

Later, Bell was again leading the charge for the Saints with a 3-pointer and then converting on a driving layup and Flagler trailed 73-69 with 2:39 left. The Saints could not close the gap any more than four points.

Flagler will head back out on the road for another PBC contest on Saturday (Jan. 31) against No. 19 (NABC Division II Top 25) University of North Carolina Pembroke at 3:30 p.m.