It came down to the final minute, but the Cougars couldn't get past Chattanooga State.

Cleveland State (8-7, 4-4) was up late in the second half, but the second place Tigers (13-4, 7-2) pulled it out in the end 88-83 behind James Williams 40-point performance.

"We had some bright spots, but didn't do what it takes to get a win of that caliber," head coach Rafael Howard said.

Chattanooga State outrebounded the Cougars by 10 and shot 10 percent better from the field.

Neither team shot well from behind the three-point line, and Cleveland State's free throw shooting kept the game close, but James Williams was the difference in the end.

Williams scored 40 points and took over scoring Chattanooga State's final 10 points to put the game away.

Cleveland State did have four players score in double figures with both Julius King, Jr. and Thaddeus Johnson each putting in 21 points. Caleb Chapman finished with a double-double scoring 15 points and brining down 10 rebounds.

Next up for the Cougars is a trip to Southwest Tennessee (6-14, 3-5). The two met earlier in the season with Cleveland State winning 94-84 in overtime. King scored a game high 39 points to help secure the victory.

"Going on the road to Southwest will be much like tonight," Howard said. "They look to slash and play fast, playing tough and playing together will be key."

Tip-off is this Saturday at 5 p.m.