By WRBL Staff
CSU Sports Information
Columbus State withstood a second-half Clayton State rally and won going away 71-56 over the Lakers at the Athletics & Fitness Center. The win by the Lady Cougars snapped a seven-game losing streak to the Lakers dating back to the 2004-05 season. The Lakers knocked off CSU in the NCAA regional semifinals last season.CSU Sports Information
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Stumble It!CSU led at the half 41-24, but Clayton State stormed back with a 19-2 run to start the second half and tied the score at 43-43 with 11:05 remaining in the contest. CSU’s Turelle Jones then made two free- throws for a two-point lead. Former Lady Cougar Shanrika Hardeman knocked home a jumper for the Lakers to tie the contest at 45-45.
CSU scored five straight points, capped by Ashleigh Beverly’s jumper in the paint, to lead 50-45. The Lakers closed within one-point 50-49, but wouldn’t get any closer in the game.
The Lady Cougars got back-to-back three-pointers from Turelle Jones and Maria Grimes for a 67-56 lead with 1:56 remaining in the game. CSU made four-of-six free-throws for the final margin.
CSU played an outstanding first half behind the play of Grimes. She had 17 of her game-high 22 points in the first half as the Lady Cougars shot 47% (16-34) from the floor. Grimes made four of her five treys in the opening half. KeAnna Vicks’ long three-ball at the halftime buzzer gave CSU the 17-point lead at intermission.
Columbus State (6-5, 2-2) shot 24-64 (38%) for the game, only 8-30
(27%) in the second half. CSU made just 15-25 free-throws and out- rebounded the Lakers 47-to-38. Ashley Stafford recorded a double- double (13 pts, 13 rbs) and Turelle Jones chipped in with 15 points.
The Lady Cougars committed 20 turnovers, and forced 23 Clayton State miscues.
Clayton State (7-5, 2-3) shot 21-60 (35%) from the floor, just 1-21 from beyond the arc. The Lakers were led by Shantel Ragin’s double- double (14 pts, 10 rbs). Hardeman had eight points and nine rebounds off the bench
CSU will be off this weekend and return home to the Lumpkin Center to play North Georgia on Wednesday (Jan. 16) at 5:30 PM. The Lady Cougars play nine out of the next 10 PBC games at home.
