GREENWOOD, S.C. - Top-seeded and No. 23 Lander outscored the Columbus State University women's basketball team 31-10 in the third quarter to go on for a 92-67 win in the Peach Belt Conference Tournament semifinals on Saturday. The tournament is being hosted by Lander in Finis Horne Arena in Greenwood, S.C.

After pulling within two before halftime, a 24-5 run by the Bearcats in the third quarter allowed the hosts to pull away from the Lady Cougars.

"We just got away from our gameplan in the third quarter," commented head coach Matt Houser. "You can't do that against one of the best teams in the nation and expected to win."

"I'm proud of what we accomplished in our first season. We are building something special here at Columbus State." 

LeeAysia Williamson led a trio of Columbus State (19-9) players in double-figures with 12 points. Aryan Dozier added 11 while Eboni Williams had 10. 

As a team, CSU shot 44.1 percent (26-for-59) overall and was 6-for-15 on 3-point attempts. 

The first and second quarters were complete 180's. Columbus State opened the game hot jumping ahead 7-2 behind five early points from Kaihla Carter.

However, the tide quickly changed. Lander reeled off the game's next 15 points to open a 17-7 lead. CSU went without a point for nearly six minutes during the stretch. A 3-pointer by Jessica Harris gave Lander a 26-11 lead in the opening seconds of the quarter before the Lady Cougars roared back. Three-pointers from Williamson and Valeria Merlos got the Lady Cougars within nine (28-19) of the lead at the 8:33 mark, but the real run came towards the end of the period.

Down 36-25 with 2:55 until halftime, nine points before the horn got CSU within two of the lead. Four different players scored in the spurt with Merlos connecting on another 3-pointer.

Things looked to be tightening up as the two teams traded buckets to begin the second half. However, Lander had different plans. A 24-5 run broke open a 21-point advantage for the Bearcats before the end of the third. The lead grew in the fourth to as high as 33 before the final horn. 

Lady Cougar Notes & Trends

• Columbus State fell to 0-3 against Lander this season.
• The Lady Cougars made four of their six 3-pointers in the second quarter.
• CSU committed 25 turnovers on Saturday. 
• It was just the third game this season that Columbus State didn't record a block.
• Columbus State's 44.1 shooting percentage was its highest mark in a loss.