DAHLONEGA, Ga. - The Columbus State University women's basketball team dropped their second straight conference game on the road as they fell to North Georgia 82-70.

Senior Tatiana Wayne led all Lady Cougar scorers with 18 points while Tatum Jarvis played her best game of the season shooting 4-5 from behind the arc to finish with 16 points on the night.

"I was proud of the effort from our bench to keep us within striking distance throughout this game," head coach Anita Howard said. "But we struggled from the field in that first quarter and having to play catch up eventually got the best of us by the fourth quarter."

CSU found themselves trailing by 16 with just over six minutes remaining before the halftime break, but a huge spurt sparked by two three-pointers from Jarvis saw the Lady Cougars trim the deficit to five. 

North Georgia got the lead back up to double digits to open up the third as Columbus State watched their leading scorer Wayne have to hit the bench for an extended period of time due to cramping. 

Yet again the Lady Cougars showed their depth and resiliency as they fought back behind their bench. Jurnee Smith put in a three followed up by a jumper from Aryan Dozier to cap off a 9-0 CSU run. Wayne came back on to the floor but North Georgia responded to go up by double digits heading into the final ten minutes of action.

Columbus State scored a total of 25 points off the bench, including points from six different bench players led by LeeAysia Williamson who finished with nine. 

Columbus State is back in action this Saturday January 12 against Augusta. Tipoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.