COLUMBUS - For the first time under Matt Houser, the Columbus State University women's basketball team will hit the court as the Lady Cougars host the 2019 PBC/SIAC Challenge this weekend.
The Lady Cougars will begin the season against Albany State on Friday at 5 p.m. before taking on Fort Valley State on Saturday at 3 p.m. Fellow Peach Belt Conference member Georgia Southwestern will also participate in the early season conference crossover event.
"We are so ready for this," commented Houser, who is entering his first season as head coach. "The girls have been busting their tails to prepare for this moment and I know they are ready to see an opposing team on the floor."
"I can't wait to step on the court in front of our great fans, and I can guarantee we will be playing a very exciting brand of basketball."
CSU returns eight players from last year's team that went 16-13 overall and reached the PBC Tournament Championship game for the fifth time in the past six seasons.
Preseason All-Conference selection LeeAysia Williamson leads the group of returners after averaging 13.0 points per game last season while leading the team in 3-point shooting (34.4 percent). She was second on the team in assists and steals and also ranked third in rebounds. Despite missing half of the season, Chrisalyn Boston led the team in blocks and was second averaging 5.2 rebounds per game. Also returning is Kaihla Carter after leading Columbus State in assists in 2018-19.
| CSU* |
Stats |
ASU |
| 0-0 |
Record |
1-1 |
| 71.1 |
PPG |
59.0 |
| 71.3 |
Opp. PPG |
80.5 |
| 34.8% |
FG% |
32.1% |
| 41.3% |
Opp. FG% |
46.0% |
| 44.5 |
Rebs/Game |
35.5 |
| 25.8% |
3PT FG% |
21.8% |
| 32.3% |
Opp. 3PT FG% |
25.0% |
| 64.2% |
FT% |
64.7% |
| 10.7 |
Assists/Game |
8.5 |
| 11.0 |
Steals/Game |
8.0 |
| 2.1 |
Blocks/Game |
1.5 |
| * - 2018-19 stats |
Game 1
Opponent: Albany State University
Date: Friday, Nov. 15, 2019
Time: 5 p.m.
Site: Frank G. Lumpkin Jr. Center (4,500), Columbus, Ga.
Live Video Stream: Cougar Sports TV
Series History: CSU leads 16-10
Last Meeting: Nov. 17, 2018 in Albany (CSU 65-54)
Albany State will be in search of its first win of the season against the Lady Cougars on Friday. Over the opening weekend, ASU lost to West Florida (74-62) and Valdosta State (87-56).
Through two games, Alexandria James is averaging 17 points. She scored 20 in the season opener against UWF. Ciera Norman is also a threat averaging 11 points per game. Norman also has six steals on the young season.
| CSU* |
Stats |
FVSU |
| 0-0 |
Record |
2-1 |
| 71.1 |
PPG |
63.0 |
| 71.3 |
Opp. PPG |
67.0 |
| 34.8% |
FG% |
39.7% |
| 41.3% |
Opp. FG% |
35.2% |
| 44.5 |
Rebs/Game |
43.3 |
| 25.8% |
3PT FG% |
24.5% |
| 32.3% |
Opp. 3PT FG% |
25.4% |
| 64.2% |
FT% |
54.7% |
| 10.7 |
Assists/Game |
10.7 |
| 11.0 |
Steals/Game |
10.3 |
| 2.1 |
Blocks/Game |
6.0 |
| * - 2018-19 stats |
Game 2
Opponent: Fort Valley State University
Date: Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019
Time: 3 p.m.
Site: Frank G. Lumpkin Jr. Center (4,500), Columbus, Ga.
Live Video Stream: Cougar Sports TV
Radio: NewsRadio 540 WDAK Scott Miller, play-by-play, Mike Sanda, analyst.
Series History: CSU leads 12-6
Last Meeting: Nov. 16, 2018 in Albany, Ga. (CSU 98-63)
Fort Valley State also participated in the GSC/SIAC Challenge last weekend in Valdosta. The Wildcats split their games losing to Valdosta State 85-54 before rebounding to defeat West Florida 59-48. On Tuesday, FVSU improved to 2-1 after knocking off West Georgia 76-68.
Nola Carter is nearly averaging a double-double for Fort Valley (11.7 PPG, 7.3 rebs/game). Three others are averaging double figures in scoring, including Nikki Culbreath (11.7 PPG).
