DAHLONEGA, Ga.  – Fifth-seeded Columbus State University women's basketball took to the hardwood at the UNG Convocation Center on Friday night to battle against fourth-seeded Francis Marion (S.C.) in the rematch of Nov. 13, 2024.
 
The Lady Cougars (21-8) faced off against the Patriots (23-7) in a grueling nightcap of the first round in Dahlonega, Ga. Columbus State came away with the advantage when it mattered, sealing the fate of Francis Marion in an 89-83 overtime thriller.
 
Both teams met earlier this season in Florence, S.C. with Francis Marion taking the victory in November. However, Columbus State had the final say by ending the Patriots' tournament run early in the opening round of the Division II Southeast Regional, earning Head Coach Matt Houser's first NCAA Tournament victory.
   

First Quarter
 
Jada Richards and FMU were the first on the board, but a lay from Letiya Reeves and a turnaround jumper from Bre'lyn Snipes gave CSU the 4-3 advantage two minutes in. FMU moved to a 10-5 lead over the next minute with a 7-1 run, however six points from Olonna Rawls led a 14-2 CSU run over the next minute which flipped the Lady Cougar deficit to a 19-12 advantage. Columbus State closed out the first period of action with a 21-17 lead as FMU finished with a 5-2 run in the final few minutes.
 
Second Quarter
 
The Lady Cougars continued to hold the lead early in the second quarter after beating out the Patriots in a 10-7 opening stretch to lead 31-24. An 8-2 Francis Marion surge in response pulled the CSU advantage to just one point in the following two minutes. Columbus State closed out the period with a 13-8 stretch over the next few minutes with Rawls adding another nine to move her tally to 17 in the half, giving CSU a 46-40 lead.
 
Third Quarter
 
Snipes opened the third period with a layup to get things going, scoring all of CSU's points in the first two and half minutes to help keep up a 52-45 lead. Following with the next few minutes, FMU kept inching closer to CSU but could not get within the two-point deficit mark. FMU battled in a 9-8 stretch and cut the CSU lead to 60-54 with two and half minutes to play before closing out with a 5-0 run to cut the deficit to 60-59.
 
Fourth Quarter
 
The fourth quarter was a grudge match until the end. Two free throws from Rawls opened the quarter, yet Francis Marion stood strong and answered to claim a 63-62 lead with 7:31 on the clock. Columbus State followed with four points from Rawls in a 6-2 run capped by a layup from Sophia Williams to lead 68-66 with less than five minutes to play. The game went back-and-forth down the stretch with FMU edging in an 8-6 run that leveled the game at 74-74, forcing overtime.
 
Overtime
 
Columbus State took care of business in the five-minute overtime period, outscoring Francis Marion 15-9 led by five points from both Kristyn Goshay and Rawls. CSU went 3-of-5 from the field and 8-for-8 from the foul line to secure the 89-83 win to advance to the second round of the national tournament.
 
Inside the Numbers

• The Lady Cougars finished the shooting 41.3% (31-of-75) from the field, 29.7% (11-of-37) from three, and 76.2% (16-of-21) from the foul line.
• Rawls posted a career-high 30 points to lead all scorers, adding eight rebounds and three assists as well.
• Snipes followed with 23 points, 10 rebounds, and two steals with Goshay adding 11 points and two steals.
• Francis Marion led 47-42 off the glass while both teams notched nine steals apiece.
• Columbus State picks up Coach Houser's first NCAA Tournament victory and the first tournament win since the 2016-17 season.

Up Next

• Columbus State will take on the top-seed North Georgia in a Peach Belt Conference clash on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET in Dahlonega, Ga.