COLUMBUS - The Columbus State University women's basketball team used the hot hand of Valeria Merlos to go on to defeat USC Aiken 75-64 in the quarterfinals of the 2020 Peach Belt Conference Tournament on Wednesday. The game was played in the Lumpkin Center in Columbus.

Behind a season-high seven 3-pointers, Merlos paced the Lady Cougar attack with 23 points, which also set a career-high for the senior. Eboni Williams added 14 while Aujana Dawkins had 13 points and eight rebounds.

Overall, Columbus State made 10 from beyond the arc while posting a 41.4 shooting percentage (29-for-70).

"We have been preaching all year long that the real season starts now," commented head coach Matt Houser. "I liked what I saw tonight out there on the court. Val has been shooting lights out and it couldn't have come at a better time." 

"Everyone knows we have a challenge on our hands with Lander. But at this point in the season, everyone you play is a top-quality opponent. We have seen them twice, and we will be studying film until tip time on Saturday night."

Up Next

In the PBC Tournament semifinals, Columbus State will take on No. 23 Lander on Saturday, March 7 at 5 p.m. The semifinals and championship rounds will be hosted by Lander in Greenwood, S.C. after the Bearcats claimed the PBC regular-season title.

First Half

The two sides came out firing from long range with Columbus State making seven 3-pointers over the first 10 minutes of action. Threes from Kaihla Carter and LeeAysia Williamson early on helped CSU build a 10-3 lead four minutes into the game. The lead was at six at the 4:53 mark before USC Aiken scored the next two baskets, including a Kanna Suzuki 3-pointer, that brought the Pacers within one. However, Merlos got the stroke going again. Back-to-back 3-pointers pushed the lead to 21-14 while the Lady Cougars took a 23-19 lead into the second. Chrisalyn Boston made the first shot of the second quarter before six straight points by USCA tied the game at 25 with 6:05 showing on the clock. However, it was Merlos again who helped spark Columbus State. On the following possession, the senior hit her fourth trifecta of the half before four straight points by Williams had the Lady Cougars back up by seven (32-25). Both teams added points in the final 90 seconds to make it a 38-32 score at the break.

Second Half

Columbus State hit the first two made field goals of the second half to take its first double-digit lead of the night at 42-32 before USC Aiken made a push. Six straight points by the Pacers, including four from Melyk Taouil, had USCA knocking at the door of the Lady Cougar lead. The third quarter would develop into a quarter full of runs from there. Behind five points from Dawkins, CSU reeled off seven straight points to go-ahead 49-38 with under four to play in the third. Needing to answer, USC Aiken hit two 3-pointers in less than 30 seconds for a quick 8-0 run to make it a single possession game. Late in the quarter, Columbus State once again got hot from deep. Threes from Merlos and Carter helped CSU to a 57-49 lead heading into the fourth. It didn't take long for Columbus State to put the game to bed in the final 10 minutes of play. Once again, Merlos got it all started, connecting on a 3-pointer on the first trip down the floor, sparking an 8-2 CSU run. The spurt built Columbus State's largest lead of the night at 16 (65-49) with 7:26 to go after an Aryan Dozier free throw. The Pacers were able to pull with seven with 4:01 remaining before the Lady Cougars scored seven of the game's next nine points to grab a 74-62 lead with just over two minutes to play. Following a made field goal with 1:41 showing on the clock, the Lady Cougar defense didn't allow another point to keep their championship hopes alive.

Lady Cougar Trends & Notes

• The 27 3-point attempts were the most by CSU in a single-game this season.
• It was the fourth time this season that Columbus State made 10 or more 3-pointers in a game. 
• In the first quarter, the Lady Cougars were 5-of-8 from beyond the arc.
• CSU committed just seven turnovers compared to 20 by USC Aiken.
• Merlos becomes the second Lady Cougar this season to hit seven 3-pointers in a game. Williamson also accomplished the feat against Tuskegee (Nov. 26). 
• Merlos was one made 3-pointer shy of tying the PBC Tournament record for threes in a game. Her 17 attempted 3-pointers did tie the conference mark for attempts in a game. The record has been held by Jasmine Patterson of Clayton State since 2005. 
• Carter tied a season-high with seven assists on Wednesday. The senior is leading CSU in assists per game this year averaging 3.0 a night. 
• Columbus State improves to 43-23 all-time in PBC Tournament play. 
• It's the sixth consecutive season that Columbus State will appear in the PBC Tournament semifinals.