COLUMBUS – The Lady Cougars of Columbus State (14-5, 8-2 PBC) met up with the Nighthawks of North Georgia (18-2, 8-2 PBC) who were looking for redemption since the Cougars upset them 77-64 on January 13. Unfortunately, CSU was unable to take the win at home, losing 70-72 against the Nighthawks at home in the Frank G. Lumpkin Jr. Center. 

First Quarter  

North Georgia won the ball at tip off and scored from three six seconds into the game. As the Nighthawks won a defensive rebound, Olonna Rawls made a steal and passed over for Bre'lyn Snipes to make a jump shot with the score at 7-2. CSU was looking to score when Samara Saunders was fouled then made her free throw.  

UNG was looking dangerous on a counter but was unable to convert which gave Haelim Adle enough time to get the rebound and toss the ball up the court for Zuzanna Rudenko to score a layup. Play was moving fast back and forth between the two teams with 4:09 left on the clock and the Lady Cougars trailing 11-14. Letiya Reeves made the best of a North Georgia turnover to score and make it a one-point game. UNG scored the last basket of the quarter with the score 15-19.  

Second Quarter 

The Nighthawks had the ball to start the quarter and scored a jump shot to start out. After a timeout, Bre'lyn Snipes was able to score off a layup to make the score 17-26.  Struggling to find space, Rudenko was able to lose her defender and increase the score to 21-29. Simone Lett was fouled in the paint and basically given a free point.  

The Nighthawks were shooting successfully from three with 3:44 left in the half, they increased their lead to 26-32. The last two minutes of the half was filled with fouls and missed opportunities for the Lady Cougars. Aaliyah Ferrell finished the scoring for Columbus State at the 1:58 mark. North Georgia racked up points to take the half with a score of 29-35. The Lady Cougars went 40.6% (13-of-32) shooting from the field and 75.0% (3-of-4) free throws.  

Third Quarter  

The Lady Cougars had possession of the ball to start the third quarter. North Georgia updated the board first with a layup to put them up by 10. Snipes was finally able to score for the Lady Cougars at the 7:12 mints mark with a layup. The Nighthawks were relentless in the pursuit for points as they flew down the court fast and strong.  

With the score at 48-33 Nighthawks leading, CSU had 4:07 left in the quarter to make up the difference. After being fouled hard, Reeves converted both of her chances from the charity line. Reeves was also able to make a layup and steal to keep the Lady Cougars' hopes of a comeback alive. Snipes made a free throw, UNG was looking for the counter where Sophia Williams stole, but the Lady Cougars were not able to add points. After a battle for possession of the ball, the buzzer rang ended the third quarter with the Nighthawks ahead 42-55.  

Fourth Quarter 

After a few missed attempts from the team, Snipes was able to score four points in about 40 seconds to help CSU out. Kristyn Goshay came into the game and won a defensive rebound. She drilled down the court, passed to Rawls who was able to score from three. Snipes was able to score, making it a nine-point game with 6:30 left to go. North Georgia was about to score a layup when Williams swooped in, stole, and rushed up the court before being fouled. She made both of her free throws to make the score 55-64 with 4:18 on the clock.  

The Lady Cougars started heating up as Snipes converted from three making a difference of six in the game. Rawls made a layup with 2:08 left in the game and the score at 60-65. In need of points fast, Reeves scored from the charity line for the game to be 62-68. With a minute left in the game, Rawls was fouled again and did not make her free throw while fouling UNG in the process. As the Nighthawks looked to score, Reeves was able to steal but was also fouled to then make her free throws for a 66-69 game with 48 seconds left. Goshay was fouled with less than 20 seconds left and made both her free throws for a 68-70 game. Despite their hard-fought efforts, in the end, the Lady Cougars were unable to make up the points, leaving UNG winning the game 70-72. 

In The Numbers  

• The Lady Cougars went 37.5% (24-of-64) from the field, 15.4% (20-of-27) in three pointers, and 74.1% (20-of-27) in free throws.  

• CSU won 40 rebounds during the game, 16 offensive and 24 on the defensive side.  

• Snipes led the team in points with 19 accumulated throughout the game. Reeves and Rawls were behind with a combined total of 26 points.  

• Williams came up big towards the end of the game with three steals.  

• On the charity line, five Lady Cougars went 100.0% in free throws that helped decrease the lead UNG had.  

• The Nighthawks went 38.6% (22-of-57) from the field, 28.6% (8-of-28) three pointers, and 71.4% (20-of-28) in free throws with the largest lead of 20 points in the third quarter.  

Up Next  

• The Lady Cougars will travel to the Sunshine State on Monday, February 10th for a rescheduled match up against Flagler College with tip-off at 5:30 p.m. ET.