HARROGATE, Tenn. — The No. 4-seeded Columbus State University Women's Basketball team saw its season come to an end Friday evening with an 85–73 loss to No. 5-seeded Carson-Newman University in the opening round of the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional inside B. Frank "Tex" Turner Arena.
With the loss, Columbus State concludes the 2025-26 season with a 25-5 overall record and an 18-2 mark in Peach Belt Conference play.
Columbus State battled back throughout the second half, but the Cougars were unable to overcome the early deficit. Carson-Newman maintained control in the third quarter and entered the final period leading 62-44. The Lady Cougars produced their strongest offensive stretch in the fourth quarter, shooting 47.1 percent from the field and scoring 29 points, but the Eagles were able to hold off the late push to secure the victory.
Senior
Letiya Reeves led Columbus State with 19 points while adding four rebounds and two assists. Reeves finished the night 5-of-17 from the field and 3-of-10 from three-point range while converting six free throws.
Sophia Williams added 15 points and six rebounds, shooting 6-of-8 from the floor and contributing four steals on the defensive end.
Nadea Smith and
Jamilah Jackson provided key production off the bench, finishing with eight and seven points, respectively, and each grabbed seven rebounds.
As a team, Columbus State scored 24 second-chance points and 20 points off turnovers while receiving 29 points from its bench. The Cougars also recorded 14 steals and matched Carson-Newman with 34 points in the paint.
Friday's contest marked the Lady Cougars' second consecutive appearance in the NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Championship and capped another successful season for Columbus State under head coach
Matt Houser.
