AMERICUS, Ga. – The Georgia Southwestern State University women's basketball team dropped its third consecutive game on Saturday evening, falling 75-65 to 18th-ranked Columbus State in Peach Belt Conference action inside the Storm Dome.
Despite a career night from freshman
Kassidy Neal, the Lady Hurricanes were unable to overcome a decisive third-quarter surge by the visiting Cougars, who improved to 13-3 overall and 7-2 in league play.
Neal Delivers Career Night
Neal led all scorers with a career-high 22 points, posting personal bests across the stat sheet in her most complete performance of the season. The freshman finished 8 of 10 from the field, knocked down six free throws and pulled down a career-high 13 rebounds to go along with two assists, four blocks and three steals.
Neal was active on both ends from the opening tip, scoring Georgia Southwestern's first basket of the game and anchoring the Hurricanes in the paint throughout the night.
Early Back-and-Forth Gives Way to CSU Run
The opening quarter featured five ties and five lead changes, with the teams locked at 15-15 after 10 minutes. Georgia Southwestern briefly took the lead early in the second quarter, but Columbus State responded with a flurry fueled by transition opportunities and trips to the free-throw line.
The Cougars outscored GSW 21-11 in the second quarter and used a dominant 27-point third period to create separation, stretching their advantage to as many as 21 points midway through the fourth.
Late Push Falls Short
GSW showed resilience down the stretch, outscoring Columbus State 22-12 in the final quarter. The Hurricanes shot nearly 60 percent in the period and cut into the deficit behind baskets from Neal,
Madison Brittle and
Ray'ven Robinson.
However, the hole proved too deep as Columbus State converted at the line and maintained control in the final minutes.
By the Numbers
- GSW committed 27 turnovers, leading to 37 Columbus State points
- Columbus State made 23 free throws, the second-most by a GSW opponent this season
Georgia Southwestern moves to 8-8 overall and 4-5 in Peach Belt play and will look to snap the skid in its next conference outing.
Next Up
The Hurricanes hit the road for a pair of road games next week, starting with a trip to USC Aiken on Wednesday.
