FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 12-3-05

Women's College Basketball: Columbus State 76, AASU 54

Release Courtesy of Columbus State Sports Information

COLUMBUS, Ga. – Columbus State used a 21-5 run early in the second half to take control of the game en route to a 76-54 win over Armstrong Atlantic State in Peach Belt Conference women's basketball here Saturday. Columbus State evens its PBC record at 1-1 and moves to 5-4 overall, while AASU is now 2-3 overall and 0-2 in league play.

The two teams fought to six ties and four lead changes in the first half before the Lady Cougars a 9-4 run over the final five minutes to take a 33-28 lead into the break. AASU shot just 29 percent in the half but took advantage of 5-12 shooting at the free-throw line from CSU to stay in the game. CSU shot 43 percent from the floor but hit just two of seven three-point attempts in the half.

AASU came out of half time and scored the first six points to erase the deficit and take a 34-33 lead - their first lead since the 5:33 mark of the first half. Kaneetha Gordon scored all six of the Lady Pirate points, hitting a three-pointer, a layup, and a free-throw.

CSU then began its run, getting a three-point bucket from Karina Pulici with 16:49 to play to re-take the lead. Pulici would can two more treys during the run while a Marquita Greene layup closed the streak at the 11:35 mark, making it 54-39. AASU got as close as 13 points on two occasions, but CSU answered each time and extended its
lead to 67-47 with 4:47 left on an Erin Gibbs layup.

Pulici went 6-10 from three-point range in the second half to lead the Cougars to the win. She finished with 21 points - all coming on seven treys - and pulled down eight rebounds. Marquita Greene came off the bench to record 10 points and six boards. CSU got eight points each from Paige Howard, Erin Gibbs, and Erica Jones. Cherwonna Walker had 11 rebounds as the Lady Cougars held a 52-36 advantage on the boards.

Gordon led AASU with a double-double, scoring 17 points to go with 10 rebounds. Alicia Durham added 11 points and six rebounds, while Jasmine Herron chipped in nine points.

CSU is off until December 10 when West Georgia visits for a non- conference game at the Lumpkin Center. AASU will next be in action on December 13 as Fayetteville State visits Savannah.

-Pirates-