COLUMBUS, Ga. – Tori Pearce scored a team-high 17 points and dished out a career-high eight assists, but Flagler College came up short 74-62 against Columbus State University in a Peach Belt Conference women's basketball game Saturday afternoon at the Frank G. Lumpkin, Jr. Center.

Columbus State improved to 2-1 overall and in the Peach Belt. Flagler dropped to 2-3 overall and 1-2 in conference play.

"I thought Columbus State did a great job by constantly switching defenses on us and we just couldn't get into a rhythm in the offensive end," said head coach Mo Smith. "I was proud of our group and the fight we had in the fourth quarter to cut their lead to five."

The Lady Cougars perimeter game played a big role in deciding the game as they drained 12 three-pointers, which was one more than they made in the previous two game combined. Olonna Rawls led Columbus State with five treys and she finished with a game-high 22 points. Emilia Tenbrock added four more triples and scored 16 points.

Rawls' three-pointer with 4:18 left in the second quarter sparked a 13-4 run by the Lady Cougars. Columbus State took a 42-35 lead into the half.

A Beka Benge three-ball with 5:33 left in the game pulled the Saints to within five (63-58), but that was a close as Flagler would get.

N'Mya Pierce recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds while Jaziana Mathis tallied nine points and three steals.

The Saints were able to score 14 points off 16 Lady Cougar turnovers. Flagler was held to its lowest field goal percentage of the season (38.2).

Chrisalyn Boston recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds for Columbus State.

The Lady Cougars crashed the offensive glass for 14 rebounds and scored 18 second chance points.

Up next for Flagler is a road trip to face UNC Pembroke on Wednesday (Jan. 20) at 5:30 p.m. Please stay tuned to flaglerathletics.com for any changes to upcoming contests.


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