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By: Stephen Williams

MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. – A massive performance from Michelle Mitchell and fourth quarter spurt from Ashley Asouzu led the Columbus State University women's basketball team to a 66-53 win at Georgia College on Saturday. The Peach Belt Conference contest was played in the Centennial Center in Milledgeville, Ga.
 
Mitchell turned in her 15^th 20-point performance and eighth double-double of the season finishing with 28 points and 17 rebounds. Asouzu added 11 points and eight rebounds.
 
"What a great defensive effort," said head coach Jonathan Norton. "Our girls really fought hard today. The crowd was great, but we really did a good job of keeping them out of the game.
 
"We challenged our girls in three statistical categories: rebounding, three-point defense and turnovers and they took care of each one."
 
Georgia College (15-8, 7-7 PBC) scored the opening bucket of the game 30 seconds in, but it would be the only lead of the day for the Bobcats.
 
Asouzu scored on the ensuing possession to tie the game and Mitchell put in her first make of the night to put the Lady Cougars in front. CSU led the rest of the quarter and carried a 16-11 lead after 10 minutes.
 
Columbus State (17-4, 11-3) continued to control play in the second, but poor three-point shooting allowed the Bobcats to hang around. GC finally tied the game up at 26-all and two free throws with 23 seconds left in the half tied the game at 30 at the break. The Lady Cougars were 0-for-13 from beyond the arc in the first half.
 
The teams traded baskets early in the third quarter before the lid finally came off the basket for the Lady Cougars. Brea Walker connected after 15 straight CSU misses, and Eryn Cochran knocked a second one down on the following possession to move the Columbus State lead out to 42-36.
 
Georgia College made it a four-point game (44-40) heading into the fourth and then cut it to one with a three-pointer on the opening possession of the final quarter. The Bobcats then had four straight opportunities to take lead, however they committed two turnovers and missed a pair of shots.
 
Asouzu then took the game over for the next 67 seconds and help put the game away. The junior connected on a contested jumper to push the lead to three, then finished a chance after a GC turnover. The following possession, Asouzu converted a three-point play, capping off a personal 7-0 run to move the lead out to 51-43 with six minutes remaining.
 
Columbus State would pull away from there, continuing to add to the lead on its way to a fourth consecutive victory.
 
The Lady Cougars finished the day at 36.5 percent shooting (23-of-63) and made just 3-of-23 (13 percent) from beyond the arc. CSU was plus-six on the glass and forced 18 turnovers.
 
Georgia College shot 38.8 percent (19-of-49) from the floor and hit 3-of-11 (27.3 percent) three-point attempts.
 
Columbus State will play its second straight road game on Wednesday night as the Lady Cougars travel to Montevallo. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.