COLUMBUS - Aiming for its third straight win, the Columbus State University women's basketball team hosts UNC Pembroke on Saturday in Peach Belt Conference play. Tipoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. inside the Lumpkin Center.

CSU (8-2, 3-1 PBC) has been playing strong since returning from the holiday break capturing two 20-point victories. On Wednesday, the Lady Cougars shook off a slow start to down Georgia College 68-48 on the road. After scoring just 23 points in the first half, Columbus State went on a 20-0 run late in the third quarter to grab a 49-35 advantage by the opening minute of the fourth. CSU capped off the game on a 37-4 scoring stretch.

"We have been starting games slow, but we have been able to show our toughness by bouncing back. We aren't going to be able to do that every game, so we need a strong start on Saturday."

"UNC Pembroke is a well-coached team with John Haskins on the sideline. He has so much experience that he knows how to win games, so we have to be prepared for everything. You have to find different ways to win games in this league to be successful."
 

CSU	Stats	UNCP
8-2, 3-1	Record	6-7, 1-4
75.2	PPG	55.0
61.3	Opp. PPG	59.3
41.8%	FG%	36.3%
38.0%	Opp. FG%	36.3%
43.3	Rebs/Game	38.6
34.0%	3PT FG%	26.2%
26.9%	Opp. 3PT FG%	29.2%
61.7%	FT%	67.3%
15.2	Assists/Game	11.1
13.8	Steals/Game	6.0
2.6	Blocks/Game	1.7

Game 11

Opponent: UNC Pembroke
Date: Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020
Time: 1:30 p.m.
Site: Lumpkin Center (4,500), Columbus, Ga.
Radio: NewsRadio 540 WDAK - Scott Miller, play-by-play. Mike Sanda, color.
Live Video Stream: Cougar Sports TV
All-time Series: CSU leads 33-6
Last Meeting: Jan. 19, 2019, in Pembroke, N.C. (CSU 74-50)

About UNC Pembroke

UNC Pembroke (6-7, 1-4) is off to a slow start in 2020 falling in both games in the new year. The Braves are on a four-game losing streak after starting PBC play with a 59-51 overtime victory against Georgia College on Dec. 15. 

Last time out, UNCP 66-58 to Flagler in St. Augustine, Fla. on Thursday. The Saints forced 29 turnovers spoiling UNC Pembroke's good shooting night posting a 42.6 percent mark from the floor. Deja McCain was the lone player in double figures with 10 points. 

Melanie Horne averages 9.9 points per game to pace the UNC Pembroke's offensive attack. She is one of three players averaging over 5.5 rebounds per game for the Braves (Horne 5.8 rebs/game, McCain 5.8 rebs/game, Aliyah Farmer 5.6 rebs/game). Tee Graham is eighth in the PBC in assists per game (3.3).  

On the year, the Braves have struggled to put up the points ranking second to last in the league averaging 54.2 points per game. Turnovers have also been an issue for UNC Pembroke. The Braves have turned the ball over 20 or more times in four out of the last five games. 

Lady Cougar Notes 

• Columbus State has won four games by 20 or more points, including three in conference play.

• In its eight wins, CSU's margin of victory is 20.3 points.

• CSU's defense has been swarming opponents all season long. The Lady Cougars have forced 20 or more turnovers in eight games this season, including all four PBC contests. Against Georgia College on Wednesday, CSU collected 26 turnovers, falling just one shy of tying a season-high.

• At the Division II level, Columbus State ranks eighth in the nation in steals per game (13.8) and 17^th in turnovers forced per game (23.0).

• At the conference level, the Lady Cougars lead the PBC in field goal attempts per game (69.3), 3-point field goal percentage (34.0), and steals per game (13.8).

• After scoring 10 or more points in her sixth straight game, LeeAysia Williamson remains atop of the PBC leaderboard in scoring. The junior is averaging 17.7 points per game. She is also second in the league in 3-point shooting (40.3 percent) trailing only her teammate, Valeria Merlos (40.5 percent). 

• Over the past five games, CSU is shooting 72.1 percent (62-for-86) from the free throw line. 

• Aujana Dawkins has been quietly putting together a great season for the Lady Cougars. Since PBC play began, the junior is averaging 9.3 points and rebounds per game, including a double-double performance against Lander. Dawkins is averaging 6.8 points in nine games this season. 

• Since the 2013-14 season, Columbus State is 81-9 in Columbus. 

Series History

• UNC Pembroke has struggled against Columbus State since joining the Peach Belt Conference for the 1992-93 season. The Lady Cougars are 33-6 all-time against the Braves.

• In Columbus, CSU is 19-1 with UNCP's lone win coming in the 2012 PBC Tournament. Since that loss, Columbus State has won nine straight in the series. 

• Last season, Columbus State won both meetings, including a 72-64 victory in the Lumpkin Center. Kaihla Carter had nine points, five rebounds, and two steals in the win.

Up Next

Columbus State hits the road for a showdown against No. 10 North Georgia on Wednesday, Jan. 15. The Nighthawks host Georgia College on Saturday looking to improve to 13-1 and a perfect 6-0 in PBC play. Wednesday's tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. in Dahlonega, Ga.