YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. - The Columbus State University women's basketball team capped off the regular season in style on Saturday with a 66-48 win over Young Harris. The Peach Belt Conference game took place inside the YHC Basketball Arena in Young Harris, Ga.

With the win, CSU finishes the regular season with an 18-8 mark, including a 13-7 record inside the conference under first-year head coach Matt Houser. The Lady Cougars will be the fourth-seed in next week's PBC Tournament and will host a quarterfinal game inside the Lumpkin Center on Wednesday, March 4. The time and opponent will be announced on Sunday.

After a sluggish first half, Columbus State outscored Young Harris 29-16 in the third quarter to open a commanding 17-point lead.

"It took us a little to get going, but I liked what I saw in the second half," commented Houser. "We needed that spark before the tournament begins, and I feel like that's what we got in that third quarter."

"The real season begins now. We have been preparing all year long for this moment and we have to go out there and take it."

Four Columbus State players finished the day with 10 or more points. LeeAysia Williamson led the way with 20 while Valeria Merlos (14), Kaihla Carter (10), and Eboni Williams (10) all chipped in with double-figures. Chrisalyn Boston had a game-high 11 rebounds. 

Overall, CSU shot 42.6 percent (26-for-61) and was 6-of-19 on its 3-point attempts. At the free throw line, the Lady Cougars posted a 61.5 percent (8-for-13) mark.

Up Next

Columbus State will play in the 2020 PBC Tournament beginning on March 4. The semifinals and finals will be held at the highest remaining seed on March 6 and 7.

First Half

Offense wasn't a problem in the first quarter with Columbus State jumping out to a 13-9 lead thanks to hot shooting from beyond the arc from Merlos. The senior hit two 3-pointers and added a late layup after subbing into the game in the early going. After taking a 15-11 lead into the second, both teams went cold from the floor. It wasn't until the 6:58 mark in the period when the first points were scored as Kalen Surles made it a 15-13 game with a layup. In all, just 16 points were made in the quarter with CSU holding a 23-16 advantage after a pair of Boston free throws with 1:41 left in the half. However, a 3-pointer from Niaya White made it a 23-19 game at the break. 

Second Half

Columbus State's offense erupted in the third quarter. In a 27-23 game, a Boston layup began a quick 9-2 CSU run allowing the Lady Cougars to take their first double-figure lead of the day at 36-25. Williamson capped off the spurt with a 3-pointer at the 5:42 mark. After a YHC bucket, Williamson took the game over. The junior scored the next seven CSU points to give the Lady Cougars a 16-point lead (46-30). Overall, Williamson helped Columbus State to a 14-2 run over the late portion of the third to take a 50-30 lead. YHC scored five of the final seven points of the quarter to cut the margin to 52-35 before the fourth. Columbus State's lead wasn't ever in jeopardy over the final 10 minutes. A 3-pointer by Merlos and a Williamson jumper at the 8:21 mark gave CSU its largest lead of the day at 57-35. Merlos would later hit her fourth three of the day as the Lady Cougars cruised to the win.

Lady Cougar Notes & Trends

• Columbus State has won 15 or more regular-season games in every season since 2004-05. 
• Over the third quarter, CSU shot 63.2 percent going 12-for-19 from the floor.
• It was Williamson's first 20-point game since Feb. 8 when she scored 29 against Lander. The junior has 10 20-plus point games this season.
• It was the fourth time this season that Merlos hit four or more 3-pointers.
• CSU turned 17 YHC turnovers into 18 points. In comparison, the Mountain Lions scored just eight points off of turnovers.
• Columbus State and Young Harris split its two-game series in 2019-20. Overall, CSU leads the all-time series 11-4.