AMERICUS, Ga. -- A second half comeback wasn't enough for the Georgia Southwestern State University women's basketball team in a 70-62 loss to Columbus State in front of 338 at the Storm Dome Wednesday.
Forward Tyisha Moore recorded her third double-double of the season with 16 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Lady Canes (4-7, 1-6 PBC). Guard Tamecia Blue made her third start of the season and scored 14 points to go along with four assists and three rebounds.
Machala Raymonville scored 16 and Tatum Jarvis added 13 points to lead Columbus State to the victory.
How It Happened: GSW started strong, building an early 7-1 lead at the 7:39 mark of the first when Gabby Figgers drained a 3-pointer from deep behind the line. The Lady Canes held their largest lead at seven points after two free throws from Amanda Melosky with just under four minutes left in the quarter and took a four-point lead into the second.
After two free throws from Tyisha Moore with 9:51 left in the second quarter, the Lady Cougars went on a 25-0 run over the next eight minutes to take control of the game. GSW could manage just 2 of 11 (18.2 percent) from the field in the quarter as Columbus took a 19 point lead into the locker room.
The Lady Canes outscored CSU in three of the four quarters, but couldn't recover from the hole that was built in the second. Tyisha Moore scored 10 points and grabbed six rebounds in the third to help GSW outscore Columbus 22-15, making it just a 10 point game heading into the final quarter.
Georgia Southwestern cut the lead to seven twice in the fourth, but both times Columbus State was able to answer at the other end. After Moore made a layup with 2:27 left in the game, Tatiana Wayne followed with one of her own and the Lady Cougars made enough free throws to keep GSW from getting any closer.
Who Stood Out: Tyisha Moore was active on the offensive end, pulling down seven boards of missed Georgia Southwestern shots. She went 8 of 11 from the free throw line to help secure her third double-double of the year. Tamecia Blue saw her most extensive action of the year with 31 minutes and she made the most of it with 14 points. Blue also knocked down two shots from long range.
Up Next: The Lady Canes three-game homestand continues Saturday when Francis Marion visits the Storm Dome for a 1:30 p.m. tip.