COLUMBUS - The Columbus State University women's basketball team (2-0) travels to Americus, Ga., for the Georgia Southwestern Classic, where they will face Catawba College at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 17, and Carson-Newmann University at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 18.
The Lady Cougars are off to a 2-0 start in the 2023-24 season, defeating Miles College (81-73) and Albany State University (73-54) at home. Letiya Reeves has been a key contributor to the team, averaging 21 points and 9 rebounds per game. Jasmine Rai Stevens is another high-scoring Lady Cougar, shooting 58% from three-point range and averaging 12.5 points per game.
In just two games, the Lady Cougars' defense has been incredibly effective, causing 52 turnovers with 27 steals. Lacy Robins has been a force on defense for the Lady Cougars, with 10 blocks and 7 steals in just two games. Senior Amber Abusbeih leads the team with 8 steals and 5 defensive rebounds.
Columbus State will play Catawba College first in the GSW Classic on Friday, Nov. 17 at 5 p.m.
Scouting Catawba
- Catawba College is coming off a highly successful 2022-23 season in which they went 29-6 overall (16-2 SAC). Their run came to an end in the 2023 NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Semifinals, where they were defeated 70-59 by tournament runner-up Minnesota Duluth.
- Catawba will open up their 2023-24 season in the GSW Classic, playing Columbus State for the first game of the Classic.
- Catawba College's women's basketball team returns key players from last year, including graduate students Lyrik Thorne at guard and Janiya Downs at forward.
Columbus State will play Carson-Newman second in the GSW Classic on Saturday, Nov. 18 at 1 p.m.
Scouting Carson-Newman
- Carson-Newman is also 2-0 on the season, with victories against two familiar teams from the Peach Belt Conference, Lander (59-51) and USC Aiken (87-47).
- Braelyn Wykle leads the Eagle's offense, averaging 20 points a game and shooting 44% from the field.
- Carson-Newman, as a team, has forced 44 turnovers and 31 steals in two games, with Tori Rutherford leading the way with 6 steals for herself.
Live statistics and videos for both games can be found here.
