Lady Cougars Claim PBC Opener
By CSU Sports Information
AIKEN, S.C. - The Columbus State University women's basketball team closed the game on a dominating 23-7 run to defeat USC Aiken 82-60 Wednesday evening. CSU's Peach Belt Conference opener took place inside the Convocation Center in Aiken, S.C.
Up just six heading into the fourth, the shots began falling for the Lady Cougars. With a little more than six to go, CSU started a 16-2 run, including 13 straight, to move in front 75-55. The stretch continued as Columbus State blew the game open outscoring the Pacers 29-13 in the final quarter to go on for the victory.
"Credit for the girls for a hard fought conference road win," said head coach Matt Houser. "We didn't make it easy on ourselves by missing easy layups early on. It's critical that we make our opponents pay on opportunities like those."
"I love where we are at. We are getting quicker and starting to become more comfortable in our system. It's a quick turnaround before Lander, but we will be hard at work in the next few days."
Eboni Williams had a career night with 21 points, four assists, and four steals. Three other Lady Cougars scored in double figures, including a career-high 11 points from Aryan Dozier. Aujana Dawkins fell one rebound shy of a double-double as the junior tallied 10 points and nine rebounds.
Columbus State had a hot shooting night posting a 45.2 (33-for-73) overall percentage. From long-range, CSU was 9-for-22 while going 7-for-8 from the free throw line.
The Lady Cougars will close out the 2019 calendar year on Saturday by hosting Lander inside the Lumpkin Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
Play-by-Play
First Half
It was a game of runs from tipoff. With USC Aiken holding an early 4-2 advantage, a LeeAysia Williamson 3-pointer started a 12-2 stretch that put Columbus State in front. Long range shooting was key in the first quarter as the Lady Cougars made five in the opening 10 minutes, including three from Valeria Merlos. The Pacers were able to score the final seven points of the quarter to make it 23-17 at the start of the second. USC Aiken would continue to fight back into the game and eventually took a 28-27 lead with four minutes remaining in the half thanks to an 11-4 run. The Lady Cougars wouldn't be down for long as Dawkins ended Columbus State's scoring drought with a putback following an offensive rebound. CSU wouldn't trail again in the game. Six late first half points from Williams helped Columbus State take a 37-32 lead into the locker room.
Second Half
Columbus State's defense was on full display in the second half. The Lady Cougars threatened to run away with the game as they held USC Aiken scoreless for over four and a half minutes in the third quarter extending the lead to 51-38. USC Aiken was able to stave off the route ending the period on a 9-2 run to cut the deficit down to six, 53-47. The final quarter started with a bang as Kaihla Carter and Williamson knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers to quickly push the lead back into double figures. The Pacers would have one more answer left responding with six straight points of their own to once again make it a six-point margin with less than seven minutes to play. Needing another bucket, Carter nailed a three to jump start the game-ending 16-2 run that saw Columbus State take a 75-55 advantage. Dozier and Williams were key in the spurt scoring seven points apiece.
Inside the Numbers
• Columbus State is now 6-1 and 1-0 in Peach Belt Conference play this season. After dropping a road game at North Georgia last weekend, USC Aiken is 0-2 in PBC action to begin the year. Overall, the Pacers are 4-5.
• LeeAysia Williamson (13) and Kaihla Carter (10) were the other Lady Cougars who scored in double figures.
• CSU's eight free throw attempts were a season-low.
• USC Aiken owned the glass in the contest winning the rebounding margin 46-32.
• For the second straight game, Columbus State's bench provided plenty of help producing 22 points.
• Aryan Dozier scored all 11 of her points in the second half. Aujana Dawkins scored eight of her 10 points in the final 20 minutes of play as well.
• Columbus State has now won eight of the last 10 meetings against USC Aiken.