Friday, November 23, 2007

CSU HALTS TUSCULUM WIN STREAK, 74-64

DAHLONEGA, Ga. --- Maria Grimes recorded 24 points to lead the Columbus State women’s basketball team to a 74-64 win over Tusculum College Friday afternoon in the opening game of the Lady Saints Classic. The two-day tournament is being hosted by North Georgia College & State University.

Tusculum (3-1) had four players scoring in double-figures, led by Shantae Shank’s 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting. She also dished out four assists and recorded a game-high five steals. Ashli Oliver tallied a dozen markers, while Kat Spears and Jasmine Gunn finished with 11 and 10 points, respectively. Spears also finished with a game-best four blocked shots in the loss.

CSU’s Hali Moore added 14 points, while Ashley Stafford tallied nine points and 11 rebounds.

The Cougars (2-1) took a 12-point lead at halftime (47-35) and used an 11-4 spurt to open the second period to take a 58-39 advantage with 14:13 left in the game following a three-pointer by Turelle Jones.

Tusculum answered with an 11-1 run over the next four minutes, including a three-pointer by Oliver and a pair of buckets from Shank to trail 59-50 with 10:09 remaining. Grimes added a pair of free throws for CSU and the Cougars’ lead wouldn’t fall below double-digits for the remainder of the contest.

Tusculum will face host North Georgia on Saturday at 4 p.m.

- TC -