Like Columbus State Athletics on Facebook!
Tweet #GoCSU

By: Stephen Williams

FORT VALLEY, Ga. - Completing a perfect opening weekend, the Columbus State University women's basketball team rolled past Fort Valley State 76-53 on Saturday. The game was part of the PBC/SIAC Challenge hosted by FVSU.
 
Five different Lady Cougars scored in double figures in the win. Britteny Tatum, Tatiana Wayne and Alexis Carter each finished with 13 points. Carter added 10 rebounds for her second straight double-double. Ashley Asouzu also finished with double-double, going for 10 and 10. Gabby Williams added 10 points of her own.
 
"We got off to a slow start on the offensive end, but our defense continued to play well," head coach Anita Howard said. "We had a very balanced offensive effort tonight as well, which was great to see."
 
The scoring was slow to start the game, but Fort Valley State (0-2) scored the opening point at the free throw line. The 1-0 lead would be the only one of the game for the Wildcats however, as CSU quickly moved in front on Williams' first basket of the day.
 
While the Lady Cougar offense was finding its rhythm, the defense was taking care of business. CSU did not allow a field goal until the closing seconds of the first quarter and led 13-9 after the opening 10 minutes.
 
The game stayed close throughout the second quarter with FVSU pulling within three (26-23) with less than two minutes to play.
 
Wayne and Toxiana Wilson each scored to stretch the lead out and give CSU a 30-24 lead at halftime.
 
Like they did on Friday, the Lady Cougars shined in the third quarter. Asouzu and Carter accounted for the first six points after the break to move the lead out to double figures, where it would stay the majority of the second half.
 
CSU stayed comfortably in front the rest of the quarter, with Keyrra Gillespie scoring on the final possession to send the game to the fourth at 54-40.
 
The margin continued to grow over the final 10 minutes of the contest. Columbus State scored the final eight points of the game to record the 23-point victory.
 
The Lady Cougars were 28-of-75 (37.3 percent) from the field on the night and 20-for-29 (69 percent) at the foul line. CSU forced 37 turnovers and turned them into 30 points.
 
FVSU was limited to just 24.6 percent (14-of-57) shooting.
 
Columbus State will return to action on Sunday, November 27 as it plays host to Carson-Newman. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. inside the Lumpkin Center.