COLUMBUS – Behind 27 points and 13 rebounds from Michelle Mitchell, the 23rd-ranked Columbus State University women's basketball team picked up a 78-74 victory over Lander on Tuesday night. The Peach Belt Conference contest was played inside the Lumpkin Center.

The victory ends a two-game losing skid for the Lady Cougars, and marked the 27th consecutive home victory for Columbus State. The home winning streak is now just one win away from tying the all-time PBC record, also held by CSU.

Mitchell's double-double was her seventh of the season and second straight, while she has reached at least 20 points in 12 games. Gabby Williams turned in 12 points and Britteny Tatum added 11. Ashley Johnson ended with 10 points and nine rebounds, including four crucial free throws down the stretch.

"I'm really proud of the team tonight," said head coach Jonathan Norton. "We knew this was going to be a really tough game, but we felt like we were in control throughout."
Columbus State (13-3, 7-2 PBC) never trailed in the contest and only saw the game tied on three occasions. However, the last of the three ties came at 68 with 2:06 remaining in the game.

Facing full court pressure from the Bearcats, Mitchell was quickly able to get behind the defense and set up Brea Walker. The senior buried the short jumper and put CSU back in front. Following a miss on the ensuing possession, Mitchell again got behind the defense and was able to lay it in to give the Lady Cougars extra cushion.

Lander (12-6, 6-3) picked up a quick bucket to cut the lead to two and sent Johnson to the foul line with 58 seconds to play. Despite missing her only two prior attempts on the night, the senior stepped to the line and calmly knocked down the pair.

Two free throws from Mitchell stretched the Lady Cougar lead to five (76-71) with 16 seconds on the clock, but a Bearcat three once again made in a two-point game with 6.5 seconds showing. Johnson again was sent to the line and again calmly made both shots to ice the game.

The Lady Cougars built their lead early on the backs of another strong first quarter. Mitchell went on a personal 6-0 run to put CSU up 10-4 just over three minutes into the game. The lead bounced between five and seven the rest of the quarter with the Lady Cougars leading 20-15 after 10 minutes.

Bringing a four-point lead into the second half, Columbus State used an early third quarter run to open up its largest margin of the contest. Leading 36-32, the Lady Cougars went on a 7-0 run capped off by a basket from Williams to lead by 11.

Lander quickly trimmed the lead back down to four with a 10-3 run, setting up the tight fourth.

Columbus State shot 46.6 percent (27-of-58) as a team, knocking down 5-of-17 (29.4 percent) from the perimeter. The Lady Cougars got to the line 32 times on the night, but made just 19. CSU won the rebounding battle 47-34.

Lander was limited to 38.5 percent (25-of-65) shooting and went just 3-of-16 (18.8 percent) from outside.

Columbus State will be on the road on Saturday as the Lady Cougars make their annual trip to Young Harris. Tipoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.