Like Columbus State Athletics on Facebook!
Tweet #GoCSU

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. - The Columbus State University women's basketball team couldn't overcome a cold second half shooting performance falling 85-74 to Flagler Wednesday evening. The Peach Belt Conference game took place inside the Flagler Gym in St. Augustine, Fla. 

After shooting an even 50 percent (15-for-30) from the field in the first half, CSU fell to a 28.6 percent (12-for-42) mark over the final 20 minutes. 

"It was good to see us get the first quarter start we've been looking for on the road," head coach Anita Howard said. "But we didn't play Lady Cougar basketball in that second half. We allowed them to shoot 53-percent from the field while putting up 51 points in the final 20 minutes which was too much to overcome."

Columbus State (9-8) started quick racing out to a 17-8 lead before the midway point of the first quarter thanks to eight quick points from senior Tatiana Wayne. CSU as a team made seven of its first 10 field goal attempts to open the game.

The Lady Cougars would take their largest lead of the night early in the second after a LeeAysia Williamson layup made the score 26-14. CSU's lead would hover around the 10-point margin until late in the half when Flagler made a push. 

Over the final three and a half minutes the Saints outscored the Lady Cougars 15-7 as Columbus State took a slim 37-34 lead into halftime.

CSU continued to hold on to the lead until the 5:24 mark in the third quarter when Flagler jumped ahead 42-41. A jump shot from Wayne put the Lady Cougars back up on the next possession, but the Saints continued their hot shooting in the period to pull in front with a 61-55 lead at the end of the quarter.

Flagler started the fourth quarter scoring the first nine points to extend its lead to double figures and then held off any CSU comeback attempt throughout the final quarter of action.

Three Lady Cougars scored in double figures led by Wayne's 22-point performance. It was the senior's highest scoring output since December 19 when she also had 22 points. Williamson had 15 points for CSU while Naomi Holloway was just shy of a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds. Williamson also had a season-high eight assists. 

As a team, CSU shot 37.5 percent (27-for-72) from the floor and 28 percent (7-for-25) from three. 

Columbus State will be back at home on Saturday, Feb. 2 hosting Clayton State. Tipoff will be at 1:30 p.m. inside the Lumpkin Center.