CLINTON - The Columbus State University Lady Cougars used 16 points and 15 rebounds from forward Cherwonna Walker (Leslie, Ga.) to defeat Newberry tonight, 70-59, at the second day of the South Atlantic Conference/Peach Belt Conference Women's Basketball Clash held in Clinton, S.C. With the loss, the Lady Indians drop to 0-2 on the season, while Columbus State improves to 2-3. Freshman guard Laura Marquardt (Mt. Pleasant, S.C.) came off the bench to lead Newberry with 15 points, including 4-4 from the free throw line.
Both teams struggled early as just 13 total points were scored in the first five minutes of play. Despite shooting 34.6% from the field, Newberry maintained a narrow lead much of the half, until the Lady Cougars made a run of their own. Columbus State came roaring back to take a six point advantage with 7:08 left in the half after Walker, guard Paige Howard (Pulaski, Tenn.), and guard Erica Jones (Birmingham, Ala.) combined for a seven point run. Marquardt kept the Lady Indians close as she netted all eight of her first-half points with under seven minutes remaining. Columbus State responded, however, to take a 32-31 lead into the locker rooms.
Sophomore forward Tonique Frasier (Walterboro, S.C.) led Newberry with 10 first-half points and five boards. Marquardt added eight, while senior forward Tonya Deese (Newberry, S.C.) contributed five. Although the Lady Indians committed 14 first-half turnovers, they did create scoring opportunities by getting to the free throw line. Newberry sank 13 of 15 charity shots in the opening half (86.7%), while the Lady Cougars went just 1-5. Walker led Columbus State in the first with her 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Jones added six.
Columbus State continued their full-court pressure in the second half, forcing 14 more Newberry turnovers. Neither team led by more than three in the first 10 minutes of the half. The Lady Indians were able to grab a 41-39 lead after a Marquardt jumper, but Columbus State took the lead right back with a Howard three. A shot from downtown by sophomore guard Chance Stewart (Rougemont, N.C.) gave Newberry a one-point lead at 48-47, but this would be the last time the Lady Indians held the lead. A jumper by Frasier tied the score at 53, but Columbus State reeled off a 10-0 run, widening their lead to 63-53. Newberry hit a couple of shots late, but Columbus State's Erin Gibbs (Snellville, Ga.) iced the victory with nine points, including six of seven from the stripe. Gibbs led the Lady Cougars in the second half with 12 points, while Newberry was paced by seven apiece from Marquardt and Stewart.
For the game, Marquardt led Newberry with 15 points. Frasier added 14 points, while Stewart and Deese chipped in seven and six, respectively. Freshman forward Anita Bulcher (Houston, Ohio) came off the bench to record nine rebounds in 14 minutes, while Deese and Frasier added eight each. Sophomore guard Ashlee Wright (Myrtle Beach, S.C.) led Newberry is assists with five. Columbus State's Walker led all scorers with her 16 points and chipped in 15 rebounds. Gibbs tallied 14 points and 4 boards, while Jones added 10 points, five assists, and three steals.
The Lady Indians hit the road for the next contest as they travel to USC Aiken on November 22. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. The Lady Cougars will compete in the West Georgia Thanksgiving Classic in Carrollton, Ga., on November 25 where they will face Montevallo at 1 p.m.
