COLUMBUS - Young Harris scored 22 of the final 26 points to overcome an 11-point fourth quarter deficit to defeat the Columbus State University women's basketball team on Saturday evening. The Peach Belt Conference game took place inside the Lumpkin Center.

The Lady Cougars (12-4, 7-3 PBC) led 60-49 after LeeAysia Williamson nailed down a jumper with 8:02 remaining in the game. However, from there, CSU went cold going 0-for-8 from the field for the remainder of the game. YHC scored 17 consecutive points to go in front 66-60 with less than 90 seconds to go. CSU was able to score four points from the line, but it wasn't enough.

"This was a tough loss to take," commented head coach Matt Houser. "We needed to finish that one off, especially at home. Give Young Harris credit for never quitting."

Williamson tied a career-high with 29 points going 10-for-19 from the floor and 5-for-9 from 3-point range. Kaihla Carter had nine points and a team-best eight rebounds. 

As a team, the Lady Cougars shot 39.7 percent (23-for-58) overall and were 6-for-18 from beyond the arc. CSU struggled from the line going 12-for-22.

Columbus State will look to rebound on Wednesday, Jan. 29 against Georgia Southwestern. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. in Americus, Ga. 
 

Play-by-Play

First Half

It was tight over the opening five minutes with Columbus State taking a 6-3 lead following a LeeAysia Williamson jumper at the 6:17 mark. Young Harris would then go on its first prolonged run of the day scoring 11 of the next 12 points to grab a 14-7 lead with 1:33 left in the period. Chrisalyn Boston snapped CSU's drought from the field with a layup, but the Mountain Lions added a jumper to make it 16-9 after one. Aujana Dawkins scored the opening bucket of the second quarter before the Mountain Lions took a game-high 15 point lead, 28-13, thanks to a 12-2 spurt. Needing to answer, Williamson took over for Columbus State. The junior scored 11 of the game's next 12 points cutting the deficit to three at 28-25 with 2:30 left in the half. In the 3:45 minutes, Williamson was a perfect 4-for-4 with a steal. Young Harris was able to go-ahead 32-26 at the break.

Second Half

Columbus State continued to battle back as five straight points to open the half by the Lady Cougars brought the score to 32-31. At the 7:42 mark, Kaihla Carter tied the game at 34 with a 3-pointer while a Williamson trifecta on the next possession gave Columbus State a 37-36 lead, its first advantage since leading 7-6. The 3-pointers jumpstarted a 17-4 run by CSU which gave the Lady Cougars a 48-38 lead with 3:42 remaining in the third. The Mountain Lions had a response though. Eight quick points, thanks to two threes from Carly Winters, made it a two-point game. Baskets from Jurnee Smith and Boston gave Columbus State a 53-48 lead heading into the fourth. The final period was all Young Harris. Five straight points from Williamson had Columbus State up 11, 60-49, before the shots stopped falling. YHC scored 17 consecutive points while the Lady Cougars went 0-for-8 from the floor seeing the lead turn into a 66-60 deficit. Young Harris closed the quarter on a 22-4 run to grab the road victory.

 

Inside the Numbers

• Columbus State had won six straight over Young Harris in Columbus before Saturday. The previous loss came on Jan. 16, 2013, the first meeting between the two schools. • LeeAysia Willamson's 29 points are the most in a game by a Lady Cougar this season.  • Williamson leads the Peach Belt Conference in scoring averaging 18.2 points per game. • It was the first time all year that CSU failed to record 10 or more steals. The Lady Cougars had seven during the game. • YHC out-rebounded CSU 42-35. • It was CSU's first loss at home since Dec. 21.  • Columbus State has lost the turnover margin in three straight games. On Saturday, CSU turned the ball over 19 times while the Mountain Lions committed 18 mistakes. • Columbus State still leads the all-time series 10-4 over Young Harris.