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COLUMBUS – The Columbus State University women's basketball team got back on the winning track Saturday defeating Augusta 58-56 in Peach Belt Conference action.
Sophomore
Chrisalyn Boston posted one of her best performances of the season leading the Lady Cougars with 14 points and 12 rebounds. It was the second double-double of the season for Boston while the forward added two steals as well. Junior
Kaihla Carter was the only other CSU player in double figures with 10.
"I'm happy that we are able to learn in a victory rather than a loss," head coach
Anita Howard said. "Hats off to Augusta as they came in and made it tough on us. We're better than what we showed tonight so we'll head back to the drawing board and get ready for Wednesday."
It was a tight wire-to-wire game with neither side holding a lead larger than seven. After a sluggish start to the game, Columbus State got their offense going as the first quarter progressed. The Lady Cougars took a 17-13 lead after the first 10 minutes of play thanks in part to a strong 8-0 run to close the first.
The Lady Cougars enjoyed a 22-15 lead with 8:02 showing on the clock in the second before Augusta started to fight back. The Jaguars slowly chipped away at the lead going on a 10-1 run to jump back in front 25-23 with just over three minutes until the break. CSU reclaimed the lead until a three-point play by Augusta gave the Jaguars a 30-29 halftime lead.
Augusta threatened to run away with the game by opening the second half with six straight points to stretch their lead to seven. Needing a spark, the Lady Cougars got a response from long range and deep inside the paint. Junior
Anna Stewart started the spurt with a jumper followed by back-to-back threes from Carter to put CSU back in front 37-36 with 4:52 showing the on clock.
From there Columbus State never surrendered the lead. The Lady Cougars held a 56-51 lead in the final minute but the Jaguars made one last run after connecting on a three. CSU would have the chance to ice the game from the free throw line, but went only 2-for-4 leaving Augusta with a last second shot at the buzzer that fell just short.
As a team, CSU shot 30.4 percent (21-for-69) from the floor while only connecting on five of its 21 three-point attempts.
Columbus State will be back in action Wednesday, January 16 hosting Georgia Southwestern. Tipoff is at 5:30 inside the Lumpkin Center.
