Dominating Second Half Run Lifts Lady Cougars
By CSU Sports Information
MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. - The Columbus State University women's basketball team shook off a slow start by going on a dominating 20-0 run late in the third quarter propelling the Lady Cougars to a 68-48 victory over Georgia College Wednesday evening. The Peach Belt Conference game took place inside the Centennial Center in Milledgeville, Ga.
After its worst offensive half of the season, CSU (8-2, 2-1 PBC) went to work midway through the third. Down 35-29, LeeAysia Williamson stole a pass and laid it in to jumpstart the 20-0 spurt that lasted until the opening minute of the fourth quarter. The Lady Cougars held GC off the scoreboard for over eight minutes to take a 49-35 advantage early in the fourth. CSU closed the game on a 37-10 run to grab the 20-point victory.
"What a second half by the girls," commented head coach Matt Houser. "Give Georgia College credit. They slowed our pace down in the first half and tried to make us play their style, and it phased us for a little."
"I keep telling the team at practice to just focus on our game and things will start to pan out. If we focus on us, good things usually happen, and the second half is proof of that."
Behind a strong fourth quarter, Kaihla Carter scored a career-high 22 points. The senior was 8-for-14 from the floor with 12 of her points coming in the final 10 minutes. Williamson was in double figures once again with 14 while Jurnee Smith added 10. Aujana Dawkins fell a bucket shy of a double-double with eight points and tied a season-high in rebounds with 12.
Despite hitting just seven of its first 28 shots, Columbus State shot 41.5 percent (27-for-65) from the floor. CSU was 5-for-15 from beyond the arc and 9-for-11 from the free throw line.
Columbus State returns home on Saturday, Jan. 11 to host UNC Pembroke. Tipoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. inside the Lumpkin Center.