COLUMBUS, Ga.- The Georgia Southwestern State University Women's Basketball team lost 67-54 Saturday evening to The Columbus State Lady Cougars (20-1, 11-1 PBC )in the Lumpkin Center. GSW is now 10-9 overall and 4-8 in the Peach Belt Confernce. 

Tiara Thompson lead the Lady 'Canes with 17 points including two 3-pointers. GSW shot 44.8% in the first half and had eleven rebounds. Columbus State shot 51.6% and had seventeen rebounds. Shanedra Lockett started the Lady 'Canes off with a 3-pointer to take the lead by one. Two minutes later Thompson put in a 3-pointer to take the lead by two. Thompson put in another three pointer, after Columbus made two lay ups, to take the lead back again by one point. Kenyona Armstrong put in a jump shot to give GSW a three point advantage and after Columbus put in a lay up Thompson put one in to keep the three point lead. Columbus put in two jump shots to take the lead by one but Thompson put in a basket to take it back. After two jump shots from the Cougars, Emili Russ put in a jump shot and Yvonna Dunkley put in a 3-pointer to get a two point lead. Columbus tied it up with a basket and Dunkley put in another 3-pointer to take the lead back by three with 7:20 left on the clock.

The Cougars clwas came out and they made the next five baskets with four free throws and a 3-pointer to take a four point gap. Russ made a basket to try and close the gap but Columbus put in a 3-pointer to take the lead 30-25 with 5:03 left. Danisha Green made two free throws to give GSW two points and Columbus responded with a jump shot, lay up and free throw to give them an eight point lead with 3:07 to go. Russ made a jump shot and the Cougars put in a 3-pointer. Lockett put in two jump shots at the end but Columbus made a lay up and kept the lead by seven going into the second.

The momentum from the first half did not last into the second. GSW shot 25% and Columbus dropped to 24.2%. The Lady 'Cans picked up fifteen rebounds and the Lady Cougars had twenty four. Both team put in jump shots in the first minute but Columbus made two free throws to take a nine point lead. Ja'Quasha Sesler put in a basket for GSW but Columbus got a jump shot and a 3-pointer to take a twelve point lead with 13:46 to go. Thompson, Green and Shatoria Hudson all put in jump shots for GSW but the Cougars had a jump shot and two free throws to lead by ten.

Dunkley put in a basket but Columbus responded with a 3-pointer for an eleven point lead with with 9:15 left. Columbus put in three more jump shots and Thompson had a lay up and free throw to make the score 62-48 with 4:30 to go. Thompson put in another basket and both Hudson and Lockett made their free throws but Columbus  put in five free throws in the last 1:21 to keep the lead and win by seven.

Columbus out rebounded GSW 49-31 and both teams had 15 turnovers.

The Lady 'Canes are back on the road Wednesday, Febuary 4 to face the University of Montevallo at 6:30 p.m.