Like Columbus State Athletics on Facebook!
Tweet #GoCSU

By: Stephen Williams

COLUMBUS – Three days after its lowest scoring output of the season, the Columbus State University women's basketball team registered its season high in an 83-57 victory over Flagler. Wednesday's Peach Belt Conference contest was played inside the Lumpkin Center.
 
The victory was the 26^th consecutive for the Lady Cougars in the Lumpkin Center, tying the conference record set 15 years ago. CSU set the mark from 1999-2001.
 
Columbus State (14-4, 8-3 PBC) put four players in double figures led by Michelle Mitchell's 22 points. The senior came up two rebounds shy of her eighth double-double of the season.
 
Ashley Asouzu turned in a double-double of her own behind 10 points and 16 rebounds. Britteny Tatum added 15 points and Ashley Johnson poured in 12.
 
"We challenged our team over the last two days and they responded tonight," said head coach Jonathan Norton. "We were more aggressive on the offensive and defensive end and it shows in the final score."
 
The Lady Cougars quickly put to rest their offensive struggles by making their first seven shots on Wednesday. Mitchell scored on CSU's first three possessions and Tatum followed with a pair of layups to give Columbus State a 10-0 advantage three and a half minutes in.
 
Flagler (9-9, 5-6) needed nearly four minutes before it would get on the scoreboard, but the Lady Cougars controlled the game throughout the quarter holding a 20-12 edge after one.
 
The second started in similar fashion as CSU picked up three straight baskets, the third of which stretched the lead out to 14. From there, the Saints began to chip away.
 
FC went on a quick 6-0 run over the next 90 seconds to trim the lead to single digits, but still trailed by 10 (30-20) with four minutes until halftime. However, the Saints would score the next six points and a jumper inside the final minute left Flagler down just 32-28 at the break.
 
The game would get even closer early in the third quarter as the Saints scored five of the first seven points to pull within one (34-33) with 7:30 on the clock. Columbus State was able to right the ship though, putting together a 15-2 run to once again match its largest lead at 14.
 
Flagler would get the lead inside of 10 on just two occasions the rest of the way as the Lady Cougars rolled to the victory.
 
Columbus State shot a season best 48.6 percent (34-of-70) from the floor to go with its season high 83 points. The Lady Cougars were 4-of-13 (30.8 percent) from beyond the arc and crushed the Saints on the glass, pulling down 53 rebounds to just 30 for FC.
 
Flagler became the 10^th team CSU has held below 35 percent shooting, knocking down 21-of-61 (34.4 percent) attempts. The Saints made 5-of-12 (41.7 percent) three-pointers.
 
Columbus State will head on the road Saturday to Americus, Ga. for its second meeting this season with Georgia Southwestern. The Lady Cougars defeated the Lady 'Canes 63-48 on Jan. 7 in Columbus. Tipoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.