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ALBANY, Ga. – The Columbus State University women's basketball team recorded its second win in as many nights, defeating Albany State 64-54 on Saturday evening.
Columbus State (2-0) used strong defense and rebounding to earn its second win of the season, as the Lady Cougars held Albany State to just 16 field goals and won the rebounding battle 57-36.
"We didn't have our best tonight," head coach
Anita Howard said. "I thought we picked up the defensive intensity in the third quarter and that made the difference in the game."
Saturday night started slow for CSU with the Lady Cougars in a quick 9-3 hole just over two minutes into the contest. Albany State (0-5) held the lead for the duration of the quarter, taking a 15-12 edge into the second.
LeeAysia Williamson tied it up for the first time with a 3-pointer to start the second, and then gave Columbus State its first lead at 19-17 two minutes later.
The lead changed hands multiple times in the second quarter, but
Tatiana Wayne knocked down a shot from outside to break a 24-all tie. However, the Lady Rams responded by scoring the final six points of the quarter and led 30-27 at the half.
The third quarter belonged to the Lady Cougars, as CSU jumped on the board with 10 straight points. ASU scored three points to stem the tide, but Columbus State responded with 15 unanswered to open up its largest lead of the game at 52-33.
Khari Jernigan scored six straight in the run and
Naomi Holloway added the final four.
CSU was able to put it on cruise control from there, as Albany State didn't get inside of 12 until two free throws in the final minute of the contest.
Williamson led all scorers with 13 points on the night. Wayne scored 12 points on four made 3-pointers. Eleven different Lady Cougars scored in total.
The Lady Cougars didn't shoot well from the field at just 29.5 percent, but attempted 88 shots to just 39 for the Lady Rams. Of their 57 rebounds, 31 were on the offensive end and resulted in 18 second chance points. CSU turned 25 Albany State turnovers into 27 points on the offensive end.
Columbus State will now prepare for a showdown against reigning Southeast Region champion Carson-Newman Sunday, Nov. 25. Tipoff for the home opener is scheduled for 2 p.m. inside the Lumpkin Center.
