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COLUMBUS – The Columbus State University women's basketball team used a 15-2 run midway through the fourth quarter to pull away from Young Harris in a 61-49 victory Saturday afternoon in the Lumpkin Center.
With the Lady Cougars up 44-43, Khari Jernigan scored two quick buckets extending CSU's lead. After the two teams exchanged points, Tatiana Wayne hit back-to-back 3-pointers to make it a 56-45 game with 2:21 to go. The two 3-pointers were the only baskets from beyond the arc in the half but they came at a critical time after the Mountain Lions had closed the gap.
Jernigan finished the spurt with another layup in the closing minute as the Lady Cougars pulled away for the victory. The junior finished the game with 13 points and 9 rebounds, both of which were new season highs.
"I'm happy with the effort from that second unit that came in and brought the energy and intensity we needed," head coach Anita Howard said. "Forcing 32 turnovers was great, and it shows that when you stick to the game plan and finish just a little bit better on both ends of the court that good things will come from it."
Columbus State got off to a slow start again, falling behind Young Harris 13-4 in the opening minutes of the first quarter. After multiple substitution changes, the Lady Cougars ramped up their intensity on the defensive end which led to them closing the quarter on an 8-2 run to get back within three. The energy continued into the second quarter as CSU allowed Young Harris to score just five total points in the quarter, a new season best for Columbus State.
After opening up their largest lead of the game at nine with 6:39 remaining in the third quarter, Young Harris responded with a 9-1 run to get the deficit cut to one. But Columbus State's defense got the job done again forcing a turnover leading to an and-one layup by LeeAysia Williamson. CSU forced Young Harris into 32 turnovers on the afternoon, another new season high.
As a team, CSU shot 30.1 percent (22-for-73) from the floor and 3-22 from the 3-point line.
Columbus State will be back in action Wednesday, January 30 in St. Augustine, Fla. taking on Flagler. Tipoff is at 5:30.
