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By: Stephen Williams

COLUMBUS – In a defensive slugfest, the 10^th-ranked Columbus State University women's basketball team added another win to its ledger with a 59-46 win over North Georgia. Wednesday's Peach Belt Conference contest was played in the Lumpkin Center.
 
Jasmine Herndon led the Lady Cougars in scoring with 14 points on the night. Ashley Asouzu finished with 12 points and eight rebounds, while Tatiana Wayne put in 10 points off the bench. Alexis Carter tallied eight points, 12 rebounds, five blocks and five steals.
 
The 59 points were the fewest this season for the Lady Cougars, but the defense picked up the slack. CSU held North Georgia to its lowest offensive output since November of 2012.
 
"Give North Georgia lots of credit because they did a good job of mixing up their looks and making things tough on us," head coach Anita Howard said. "I'm really pleased with our work on the defensive end and we needed it tonight."
 
Gabby Williams cleaned up a CSU miss and got the scoring started on the Lady Cougars' opening possession.
 
North Georgia's only lead of the night would come off a 3-pointer the next time down the floor. The lead would be short-lived however, as Britteny Tatum seesawed the Lady Cougars back in front and they would never trail the rest of the way.
 
The interior game got going for CSU midway through the first quarter as Asouzu and Carter scored eight straight for the Lady Cougars to double up UNG at 14-7.
 
North Georgia (16-5, 8-4 PBC) answered with five in a row to cut the margin to two, but the Lady Cougars took a four-point edge into the second quarter.
 
Columbus State (18-1, 12-1) saw its lead slim back down to two early in the second before a quick five-point spurt added some cushion. A 6-0 run one minute later, moved the lead out to double digits on Wayne's floater in the lane.
 
UNG got to within three at the midpoint of the third, but CSU continued to have the answer. The Lady Cougars scored the final five points of the quarter and carried it over to the fourth with six straight to open up their largest lead at 49-35.
 
Columbus State kept the margin in double figures the rest of the way to tally its 36^th consecutive regular season win inside the Lumpkin Center.
 
The Lady Cougars shot just 36.4 percent (24-for-66) from the field on the night, but dominated the battle on the glass grabbing 50 rebounds to UNG's 30.
 
North Georgia finished the evening at 32.7 percent (18-of-55), its worst shooting night of the season.
 
Columbus State will continue its homestand with a Saturday afternoon tilt against Clayton State. Tipoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.