COLUMBUS - After enjoying the holiday season, the Columbus State University women's basketball team will begin the 2020 calendar year against Francis Marion on Saturday, Jan. 4. The Peach Belt Conference game is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. inside the Lumpkin Center in Columbus.
The Lady Cougars (6-2, 1-1 PBC) will hit the court for the first time since dropping a 92-78 decision to Lander on Dec. 21 in Columbus. CSU trailed by only three at the break, but a strong second half by the Bearcats widened the margin.
LeeAysia Williamson and
Chrisalyn Boston each scored 22 in the outing.
"We didn't perform up to our standards against Lander, but you'll have some of those games every once in a while," said CSU head coach
Matt Houser. "The key is not making it a habit, and we have been getting after it in practice since getting back from the break."
"Francis Marion is a well-coached team and is strong on the defensive end of the court. We are both 1-1 in the conference, so it's going to be an intense game for sure."
| CSU |
Stats |
FMU |
| 6-2, 1-1 |
Record |
5-3, 1-1 |
| 76.3 |
PPG |
69.4 |
| 64.3 |
Opp. PPG |
69.1 |
| 42.4% |
FG% |
41.2% |
| 37.7% |
Opp. FG% |
40.7% |
| 43.5 |
Rebs/Game |
38.6 |
| 34.0% |
3PT FG% |
29.4% |
| 28.4% |
Opp. 3PT FG% |
27.9% |
| 60.3% |
FT% |
62.8% |
| 16.3 |
Assists/Game |
15.3 |
| 13.1 |
Steals/Game |
8.1 |
| 3.0 |
Blocks/Game |
3.6 |
Game 9
Opponent: Francis Marion University
Date: Saturday, Jan. 4, 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 31-24
Last Meeting: Jan. 21, 2019, in Florence, S.C. (FMU 74-73)
About Francis Marion
The Patriots (5-3, 1-1) are also returning from the holiday break on Saturday trying to carry momentum from an 82-73 victory over Young Harris. Four players scored in double figures, including 26 from Kiana Adderton. FMU set season-highs in made free throws (28) and free throw attempts (34) in the game.
Zaria Woods (16.8 PPG) and Adderton (14.4 PPG) are the top scorers for the Patriots on the season with Woods also leading the team in rebounding (7.3 rebs/game). Both rank in the top-seven in the PBC in scoring. Woods hardly misses when she takes a shot holding a 72.8 shooting percent (59-for-81).
Francis Marion likes to shoot it from long range averaging over 22 3-point attempts per game this season. The Patriots rank fifth in the PBC in 3-point shooting percentage (29.4), but turnovers have been a major problem as FMU ranks dead last in the league averaging 20.3 per game.
Lady Cougar Notes
• Columbus State is in an uncommon position on Saturday trying to avoid back-to-back home losses. The Lady Cougars haven't dropped back-to-back games inside the Lumpkin Center since January 2013.
• Since the 2013-14 season, CSU is 80-9 in Columbus.
• The Lady Cougars have recorded 10 or more steals in every game this season.
• In the loss against Lander, CSU posted its lowest shooting percentage (35.6) of the year and tied a season-high in turnovers (23).
• At the Division II level, Columbus State ranks 11th in steals per game (13.1) and 24th in turnovers forced per game (22.4).
• The Lady Cougars lead the PBC in 3-point shooting percentage (34.0), offensive rebounds per game (15.3), and rebounds per game (43.5).
• Chrisalyn Boston had a career game against Lander posting her second double-double of the year. She set a career-high in points with 22 after going 10-for-10 from the field. With the performance, Boston became just one of two players this season at the Division II level to go perfect from the floor with 10 or more attempts.
• Boston is leading the PBC in field goal percentage (72.9) and is third in blocks (16). For the season, she is averaging 9.5 points and 6.1 rebounds per game.
• Following her fourth 20-point game performance of the year, LeeAysia Williamson still leads the PBC in scoring (17.9 PPG). The junior is also one of the best 3-point shooting threats in the league ranking second with a 42.9 shooting percentage from beyond the arc.
• Williamson is also closing in on 1,000 career points between Columbus State and NAIA St. Andrews University. The guard needs just 12 points in Saturday's game to reach the milestone. Williamson has 522 points in a Lady Cougar uniform.
Series History
• A rivalry that dates back to the 1989-90 season, Columbus State and Francis Marion will be meeting for the 56th time on Saturday.
• The Lady Cougars hold a 31-24 advantage in the series after the two sides each won on their home courts in 2018-19. CSU and FMU have split the past four meetings.
• All-time in Columbus, CSU is 17-7 against the Patriots, including winning five of the previous six inside the Lumpkin Center.
Up Next
The PBC schedule is in full swing in the new year as the Lady Cougars stay busy over the next two months. On Wednesday, Jan. 8, Columbus State will take on long-time rivals Georgia College in Milledgeville, Ga. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
