COLUMBUS, Ga. –
Sharale McCormick scored a career-high 25 points, but it wasn't enough as Flagler College's furious rally in the fourth quarter came up short in an 80-74 loss to Columbus State University in a Peach Belt Conference women's basketball game Saturday afternoon at the Frank G. Lumpkin, Jr. Center.
Columbus State won its third game in a row an improved to 13-7 overall and 7-5 in the Peach Belt. Flagler is now 6-16 overall and 3-9 in conference play.
The Lady Cougars had their largest lead of the game, 70-55, with 6:43 left to go in the game. The Saints went on a 19-9 run over the next 5:55 to close the gap to five (79-74).
N'Mya Pierce bookended the run with a pair of baskets, the last one coming with 38 seconds left. Columbus State made a free throw shortly thereafter to seal the game.
Taylor Gardner and
Jessica Dowdy each scored eight points in the final quarter for Flagler. Pierce added six points and seven rebounds. Flagler shot 61.1 percent from the floor in the final 10 minutes.
Dowdy finished the game with a season-high 17 points and sank four 3-pointers. Pierce notched a double-double with 12 points and a game-high 14 rebounds. Gardner nearly recorded a triple-double as she had 11 points, a career-best 10 assists and she tied her career high with nine rebounds.
Emilia Tenbrock scored a team-high 22 points for Columbus State. Amber Abusbeih recorded a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds. She also tallied eight assists. Olonna Rawls finished with 15 points, nine steals and eight rebounds.
Flagler plays host to No. 11 (WBCA Division II Top 25) Georgia Southwestern State University on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at Flagler Gymnasium.
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