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By: Stephen Williams

AMERICUS, Ga. – A dominant second quarter was more than enough for the Columbus State University women's basketball team as the Lady Cougars rolled to a 72-56 win at Georgia Southwestern on Saturday. The Peach Belt Conference contest was played in the Storm Dome in Americus, Ga.
 
Michelle Mitchell led all scorers with 23 points, 15 of which came in the second quarter. The senior added eight rebounds to lead the Lady Cougars on the glass as well. Ashley Asouzu tied her season high with 14 points and added six rebounds. Brea Walker connected on a trio of three-pointers for her nine points.
 
Columbus State (15-4, 9-3 PBC) got off to a slow start on Saturday, despite scoring the first two baskets of the game. The Lady Cougars watched the Lady Canes go on an 11-4 run over the final 4:36 of the opening quarter to hold a 15-11 lead after one.
 
The opening minutes of the second quarter belonged to Asouzu on the offensive end as the junior scored CSU's first six points, tying the game at 17-all near the seven-minute mark.
 
It was Mitchell's show the rest of the way as the senior All-American scored 15 of the next 20 points for the Lady Cougars helping CSU race out to a 37-24 lead at halftime. Walker hit a three and Britteny Tatum hit a pair of free throws to supplement Mitchell, in what turned out to be a 20-4 run.
 
The run continued into the third quarter with Asouzu and Ashley Johnson adding buckets to open up a game-high 17-point advantage. The lead would never be in doubt the rest of the way as Georgia Southwestern (9-10, 3-9) never got closer than 13.
 
Columbus State shot slightly above its season average from the field knocking down 27-of-63 (42.9 percent) on Saturday. The Lady Cougars drained 7-of-13 (53.8 percent) three-pointers and went 11-of-14 from the free throw line.
 
Georgia Southwestern finished the day at 39.7 percent (23-for-58) overall and just 3-of-13 (23.1 percent) from outside.
 
Columbus State will be back at home on Wednesday night for a big divisional showdown against Clayton State. With the Lakers loss on Saturday, the Lady Cougars are just one game back of Clayton State for the top spot in the PBC West Division. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. in the Lumpkin Center.