December 6, 2011

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Montevallo, AL – Maybe still feeling the linger affects of a disappointing loss in their last contest, the Columbus State women's basketball team responded after falling behind early in the game to take down Montevallo 73-51 Tuesday night at Bank Trust Arena in Montevallo.  It was the Peach Belt Conference opener for CSU as they also improve to 5-2 on the season.  The Falcons fall to 0-2 in PBC play and now stand at an even 4-4 record this year.

The win was also the program's 400^th win since CSU joined the Peach Belt Conference, the most by any school during that time span.

"It was a nice way for us to start conference play and to get the taste out of our mouths from how we played in our last game," stated head coach Jonathan Norton.

"Dominique [Gilbert] responded with an outstanding game. I am really proud of her for coming out and showing her true talents.  Overall it was a great team effort"

UM jumped out to a quick 12-7 lead through the opening five and a half minutes of action that forced CSU to call a timeout.  The Lady Cougars responded out of the break reeling off a 9-2 run to take 16-14 lead with 8:58 to go in the opening 20 minutes of action.  Four different players scored during the stretch which was capped off by a Letiecia Davenport layup.

Both sides would go back and forth over the next several minutes before Columbus State went on another run to start to distance themselves.  With 3:50 to go in the half, Asha Alexander tied the game at 22 all on a layup before Shan Basley rattled off eight straight points to put CSU ahead 30-22 heading into the break.

The Lady Cougars continued their stellar play to open up the second half outscoring UM 12-2 through the first 2:20 of the second half.  Dominique Gilbert put the team on her back as she scored 17 of her 21 points in the final 20 minutes of action.  She started the spurt scoring the first nine points and Basley drilled a three-pointer to force the Lady Falcons to call a timeout.

Montevallo answered out of the break scoring the next seven points whittling the lead down to 11 points with exactly 16 minutes left in the game.

Coach Norton called another time to try and thwart the rally which CSU was able to do.  Gilbert scored the first six points out of the timeout which was followed up by consecutive three-pointers by Chatil Bradford extending the Columbus State lead to 19 points (54-35) with 11:36 to go. 

From there, the Lady Cougars continued to add to their lead little by little extending their advantage to as many as 26 points (68-42) over the remainder of the game.

Gilbert led the way posting 21 points on 8-of-14 shooting from the field while going a perfect 5-for-5 at the free throw line.  The post player also grabbed a game high eight rebounds along with teammate Carrie Washington.  Gilbert also registered a block giving her 68 for her career, moving her into second place all-time at CSU.

Basley chipped in with 14 points as the only other Lady Cougar to hit double figures.

As a team, CSU shot 42% (29-for-69) from the floor for the game including a scorching 9-for-15 (60%) from downtown.  They also out-rebounded the host's 45-39 which included 15 offensive rebounds that led to 23 second half points.

Taylor Beverly and Tiffany McClure each tallied eight points pacing Montevallo as they didn't have a single player hit double digits.  McClure also grabbed a team best eight rebounds.  UM shot just 32.8% (22-for-67) from the field.

Columbus State will have a nice layoff due to finals and will not return to the hardwood until they take on Valdosta State on Thursday, December 15 in the Valdosta Days Inn Classic.