COLUMBUS - The Columbus State University women's basketball team opened the season with an 82-71 victory over Albany State in the PBC/SIAC Challenge Friday night. The early season crossover event is being hosted inside the Lumpkin Center.
Preseason All-Peach Belt Conference selection LeeAysia Williamson continued her strong play from last season as she racked up 21 points with eight rebounds and seven assists. Junior Chrisalyn Boston dominated the paint putting up a double-double with 15 points and 13 boards. She also added five blocks.
"We played with some real excitement tonight," commented CSU head coach Matt Houser, who picked up his first victory. "I was pleased with the way we played on defense. When you create turnovers it helps your offense get going, and that's what happened tonight."
The Lady Cougars look to finish the PBC/SIAC Challenge 2-0 as they play Fort Valley State on Saturday. Tipoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. inside the Lumpkin Center.
| Play-by-Play |
| First Half |
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The Lady Cougars struggled to find a rhythm as they trailed 13-12 after the first 10 minutes of the game. However, CSU hit its stride in the second quarter outscoring the Golden Rams 26-12 in the frame. The Lady Cougars went on a 22-4 run while shooting 62 percent (10-for-16) from the floor to go into the break up 38-25.
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| Second Half |
| Albany State hit four 3-pointers in the third quarter as they tried to cut into the deficit, but the Lady Cougars kept the pressure on them thanks in part to an eight-point quarter from Williamson. From there CSU held off the Golden Rams as their defense clamped down on to stave up a late rally. ASU was able to cut the margin to 72-63 with 3:45 left in the game, but a Williamson steal led to a fastbreak that pushed the lead back into double-figures as CSU recorded the victory. |
| Inside the Numbers |
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• Head Coach Matt Houser picked up his first win as a head coach.
• Chrisalyn Boston recorded her fifth double-double of her collegiate career.
• It was the fifth game as a Lady Cougar that Williamson dropped 20 or more points.
• The CSU defense forced Albany State into 19 turnovers.
• Columbus State crushed the glass grabbing 59 total rebounds including 28 offensive rebounds.
• CSU recorded six blocks (five by Boston) which would have tied them for their most blocks in a game all of last season.
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