COLUMBUS - A strong defensive effort in the second half lifted the Columbus State University women's basketball team to a 65-53 victory over Flagler Saturday afternoon. The Peach Belt Conference game took place inside the Lumpkin Center.

Down by one at halftime, CSU (10-3, 5-2 PBC) allowed just five third quarter points to build a 44-39 advantage heading into the final 10 minutes of play. FC went 5-for-17 while committing six turnovers in the fourth as Columbus State pulled away for its third straight double-digit win at home.

"I liked the toughness we showed today," commented head coach Matt Houser. "We easily could've folded early when we were down by nearly double figures, but we calmly, played our game, and got the resulted that we needed."

"We played amazing team defense in the second half. Defense doesn't go through slumps, so it's critical to bring it every game."

The Lady Cougars shot 34.7 percent (25-for-72) overall while going 2-for-19 from beyond the arc. CSU was 13-for-22 at the free throw line.

Aujana Dawkins recorded her second straight double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. LeeAysia Williamson scored a team-high 14 points while Toxiana Wilson had a career-high 10. Wilson was 3-for-4 from the field and a perfect 4-for-4 from the charity stripe. 

Columbus State will continue its stretch of four games in eight days on Monday, Jan. 20 when Augusta heads to Columbus. Tipoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. inside the Lumpkin Center.
 

Play-by-Play

First Half

It was a tight game in the early going as the scored was tied at six four-and-a-half minutes into the game. However, FC would build a 19-10 advantage behind a strong 13-4 run. N'Mya Pierce was unstoppable in the period with nine points and 10 rebounds. CSU cut into the margin by scoring the final three points with a Jurnee Smith fastbreak layup that made it 19-13 heading into the second. The run was extended to 7-0 two minutes into the second with buckets by LeeAysia Williamson and Aujana Dawkins that brought the Lady Cougars within two, 19-17. Flagler reminded in front until a Toxiana Wilson second-chance effort tied the game at 25 at the 4:10 mark. Five straight points for the Saints pushed them back in front, but CSU didn't let it get out of hand. Over the final minute, Smith hit a 3-pointer and Wilson got back into the scoring column to make it 34-33 FC at the half.

Second Half

Columbus State's defense came to play in the third quarter. CSU limited Flagler to just one field goal as the Saints went 1-for-14 from the field over the 10 minutes. The Lady Cougars didn't waste any time taking advantage of the cold stretch with Dawkins putting CSU ahead 36-34 70 seconds into the half. It was CSU's first lead since hitting the opener jumper of the game. Columbus State would then score the next nine points to go up by 10, 44-34, before Flagler finally broke the drought with a free throw with 2:05 to play in the period. FC was able to cut into the margin down to 44-39 before entering the final quarter of play. Columbus State's lead wasn't in much jeopardy over the final minutes. Up 48-42 with over seven minutes to go, an 8-2 run put the game on ice for the Lady Cougars. CSU turned defense into offense with three steals turning into six fastbreak points. Smith gave Columbus State its largest lead of the night after a layup pushed the score to 63-49 with 1:25 showing on the clock.

 

Inside the Numbers

• With her strong play in PBC games, Aujuna Dawkins is ranking among league leaders in rebounding. In seven conference games this season, the junior is fourth in the PBC averaging 9.7 rebounds per game. She has posted three double-doubles while averaging 10.7 points per game.  • CSU now has eight double-figure wins this season. • The two made 3-pointers were a season-low for the Lady Cougars.  • Entering the game ranked eighth in the nation in steals per game. CSU swiped a season-high 18 on Saturday. • The Lady Cougars also swatted a season-best eight blocks. Chrisalyn Boston and Eboni Williams had three apiece.  • Columbus State improves to 83-9 in Columbus since the 2013-14 season.  • The Lady Cougars are now 13-4 all-time against the Saints.