Lady Eagles fall at Columbus State, 68-61

Columbus – The Columbus State University women's basketball team used a balance offensive attack to defeat Carson-Newman 68-61 in their final non-conference game of the season Saturday afternoon inside the Lumpkin Center.

The Lady Cougars improve to 6-5 while CN is now 7-3.

The first half saw 10 lead changes with neither team having a lead larger than six. Carson-Newman jumped out to an early 12-8 lead thanks in part to good perimeter shooting. Whitney Moody and Megan Hunter both connected on three-pointers in the first six minutes of the game. 

Columbus State wasted no time taking the lead back as Chatil Bradford and Kiersten Reid knocked down trifectas in back-to-back possessions to give the hosts a 14-12 lead. 

Both sides would exchange baskets until CSU went on an 8-2 run to grab a 29-23 lead with 5:19 remaining in the half. Reid fueled the run scoring four points including a beautiful floating jumper. 

The Lady Eagles scored four of the final five points in the half to trim the CSU lead down to three (32-29) heading into the break. 

During the first half, Dominique Gilbert recorded two block shots to become the all-time leader in rejections in Columbus State history with 79.  She finished the game with three blocks.

Coming out of the break, Carson-Newman continued to trim the Lady Cougar lead making it a one-point game (34-33) just two minutes into the half. CSU would continue to hold on to a slim lead over the next six minutes until another 8-2 run gave the host's a 49-42 advantage with 9:08 left in the game. Four different Lady Cougars scored during the spurt.

The Lady Eagles put together one last effort to stay in the game as they cut CSU's advantage down to five (57-52) with 3:50 remaining. However, Columbus State continued to pound the ball in the paint to Gilbert and Matheney as the Lady Cougars stretch their lead to 64-52 with 1:43 left. 

Columbus State iced the game knocking down six free throws over the final two minutes of play. 

Dominique Gilbert scored a game high 15 points while grabbing nine rebounds and three blocks. She also went a perfect 5-of-5 from the free throw line. Lauren Matheney scored 10 second half points as she tied a career high with 13 points. The senior also did well at the charity stripe knocking down 7-of-8. 

Letiecia Davenport and Asha Alexander chipped in with 12 and 11 points, respectively. It was the third time this season that four Lady Cougars scored at least 10 points. 

Whitney Moody led the way for Carson-Newman as she netted 15 points. Zoriah Williams and Lundyn Howard scored 12 and 10 points, respectively. 

Carson-Newman returns to play in conference action against Brevard on Wednesday at 4 p.m. Columbus State will return to Peach Belt Conference play on Wednesday, January 4 as they host Georgia College. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. inside the Lumpkin Center.