COLUMBUS, Ga. – UNC Pembroke defeated host and top seed Columbus State University on Sunday night in a NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Southeast Regional semifinal. The Braves topped the Cougars 91-80 to reach the regional final for the first time in program history.

The 25th-ranked Braves got off to a hot start, taking a 20-9 lead over the eighth-ranked Cougars in the opening seven minutes. The homestanding Cougars chipped away at the deficit and pulled within 24-23, but UNC Pembroke responded with back-to-back baskets.

The contest was tied at 28, but Elijah Cobb connected from long range to give the advantage back to UNC Pembroke. The Braves held the advantage for the remainder of the half and held a 43-37 lead at the half.

UNC Pembroke gradually extended the lead and eventually extended the advantage to 58-44 seven minutes into the half. Columbus State came back and pulled within 60-53, but UNC Pembroke went on a 10-2 run, opening up a 70-55 lead. The advantage grew to 17 at 73-56 before Columbus State started to chip away. The Cougars pulled within 79-71 with three minutes remaining and later cut their deficit to 87-80 in the final minute. However, the Braves closed out the 91-80 victory at the free throw line.

TOURNAMENT PAGE | BOX SCORE | BRACKET

Bradlee Haskell led UNC Pembroke with 21 points and 10 rebounds while Dallas Gardner and JaJuan Carr posted 17 points apiece. Josh Berenbaum added 12 points and Cobb chipped in with 10 points.

Colmubus State was led by 26 points from Jarret Adderton and 19 points from Jehloni James.

UNC Pembroke advances to the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional championship game for the first time in program history. The Braves will face Lenoir-Rhyne University, who is ranked 10th in the NABC poll and 13th in the D2CSC poll on Tuesday night. Tipoff from Columbus, Georgia is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

The Braves will be the first Conference Carolinas team to play in the regional final since Emmanuel University played Lincoln Memorial University in 2020-21.