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By: Josh Fuller

AUGUSTA, Ga. – Playing from behind throughout the second half, the 13^th-ranked Columbus State University women's basketball team put together a strong comeback effort that fell just shy as the Lady Cougars fell 79-72 to Augusta Saturday. The Peach Belt Conference game took place at Christenberry Fieldhouse in Augusta.

It was the first victory for the Jaguars over the Lady Cougars (12-3, 6-2 PBC) since the 2007-08 season. It also marks the first time that the Lady Cougars have lost back-to-back games since dropping the final two games of the 2013-14 regular season.

Augusta, who was leading throughout the second half, seemed to be cruising to a victory late in the fourth quarter as Joshlyn Belcher matched the Jaguars' largest lead in the game by hitting a three-pointer to push the score out to 73-61 with 4:24 left in the contest.

From there, the comeback was on for the Lady Cougars. Michelle Mitchell would drive in for a layup and, following an Augusta turnover, Britteny Tatum nailed a three to pull CSU within seven (73-66).

With just over two minutes to go, the Jaguars got two free throws by Kayla Lovett to make it a 75-66 game. On the following possession, Tatum connected again from downtown to make it just a six-point game.

After back-to-back missed shots by Augusta, Mitchell took it to the hoop again and made the layup attempt while drawing a foul. She hit the free throw making it a 75-72 score with 39 seconds to play.

Augusta inbounded the ball and ran some clock before using a nice pick-and-roll play to get Kariel Hutt open in the lane for an easy bucket. The Jaguars would then ice the game with a pair of free throws.

Both teams were hot coming out of the gate as Columbus State held a 27-20 lead at the end of the first quarter. Down 9-7 early in the quarter, the Lady Cougars rolled off a 14-2 run to build a comfortable 21-11 lead. Five different players scored in the spurt led by Gabby Williams' four.

Augusta (13-4, 6-2) would end the quarter on a high note, however, as the Jaguars scored seven of the final nine points, including a three from Lovett at the buzzer, to make it 27-20 CSU lead after 10 minutes of play.

The Jaguars carried the first quarter momentum into the second as Augusta capped off a 12-0 run that propelled them into the lead. Augusta scored the first five points in the second quarter to take a 29-27 lead on a Hutt layup.

Columbus State wasted no time in regaining the lead as Tatum hit a pair of free throws followed by a fastbreak layup by Williams that gave the Lady Cougars a 33-30 lead midway through the quarter.

The Lady Cougars would hold the lead for a while until Augusta scored the final six points of the half to take a 40-37 lead into halftime.

In the third quarter, CSU would quickly tie the game at 40-all before the Jaguars took full control. Up 45-42, Augusta used a 10-1 run to go in front 55-43. The Jaguars would stay in front by double digits for the majority of the quarter setting up CSU's comeback effort in the fourth.

Mitchell had yet another double-double performance for the Lady Cougars as she scored a game-high 26 points while grabbing 12 rebounds. It was Mitchell's six double-double of the year and the 11^th time she has scored at least 20 points.

Tatum added 17 points with Williams and Ashley Asouzu netting 11 each.

As a team, CSU shot 42.6 percent (29-for-68), but went just 5-for-19 on three-point attempts.

Augusta had six players in double figures in scoring led by Lovett's 16 points. Hutt had a double-double for the Jaguars with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

The Jaguars shot 49.1 percent (26-for-53) and were 23-for-25 from the free throw line.

Augusta's 79 points were the most against the Lady Cougars since March 14, 2014.

Columbus State will have a short turnaround hosting Lander on Tuesday, Jan. 19 at 5:30 p.m.