Cleveland State playing some of their best basketball at the end of the season have been eliminated from the TCCAA/NJCAA Region VII Tournament losing to tournament seed #1 Columbia State 75-69 unable to overcome a six-point half time deficit.

Matching Columbia State's 42 points after intermission the Cougars had three players score in double figures led by K'Juan Banks with 18 and 11 rebounds, Jarrod Taylor at 16 and finally Slade "Tre" Chatman went for 14.  Both teams were essentially even at FG% with Cleveland State at 46.8% on 62 shots and Columbia State with 60 attempts at 46.7%.

Both teams made four 3-pointers while Columbia grabbed 38 rebounds and the Cougars pulled down 36.  With all other team statistics virtually even the difference in the game was at the charity stripe as Columbia was 15-for-24 while Cleveland State attempted 13 and made 7.

The four remaining participants include #1 Columbia State scheduled to play #5 Dyersburg State and #2 Chattanooga State set to take on #3 Roane State.  Both games will be played on Monday March 6 at 4:00 and 6:00 p.m. EST respectively.

The tournament is being played at Roane State Community College.