AUGUSTA, Ga- The Augusta University women's basketball team lost 74-70 in overtime to the visiting Columbus State Cougars in PBC play. Augusta moves to 9-5, 2-3 in PBC play while Lander improves to 11-2, 3-1 in PBC play.

Augusta (9-5, 2-3 PBC)
FG% 41.4
3PT% 38.9
FT% 35.7
 
Columbus State (10-6, 3-3 PBC)
FG% 38.8
3PT% 20.0
FT% 64.3


The visiting Cougars got off to a hot start, taking an early 9-0 lead. A steal by Zairya West with 6:53 in the first quarter fueled an answering 8-0 by Augusta. A layup by Ashleigh Boulin with 2:10 left to play in the period marked the first tie of the game at 14-14. A made layup by Mone Florence at the end of the first quarter gave Augusta its first lead of the afternoon. The second quarter was back-and forth for the duration. Both teams went to the locker room at halftime knotted 28-28.
 
 Zairya West hit a 3-point bucket at the beginning of the third quarter to put the Jaguars up by 5. Columbus State was able to answer and took a 45-42 lead heading into the final period. The game remained tight, with neither team leading by more than 3 points in the quarter. The point-for-point trend continued in the fourth. A jumper by Kiera Howard at the end of regulation forced overtime. Turnovers plagued the Jags in the extra period and they fell 74-70.
 
Kiera Howard and Zairya West led AU offensively, carding 16 points and 15 point offensively. Howard added 6 rebounds, 8 assists, and a steal. Michaela Lane also tallied double-digits with 10 points.  

The Jaguars take on Georgia Southwestern on Wednesday January 19^th at 5:30pm. Live video and stats can be found at www.augustajags.com
 
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