Box Score MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. – The Georgia College Women's Basketball team (12-8, 6-7 PBC) went toe-to-toe with the region's top squad in national No. 10 Columbus State University (20-1, 14-1 PBC), coming up short on an upset bid 70-58 Monday at the Centennial Center.
The Bobcats had the lead just once, when junior Alyah McGriff (Suwanee) scored the first two points of the game. The second quarter was won 25-14 by the Cougars, helping stretch out their lead. The Bobcats did the best they could to get back in with a 20-13 Georgia College advantage in the third, battling to within seven on two occasions in the fourth quarter, but could inch no closer.
The Bobcat starters paced the scoring, led by 13 points from sophomore Sydney Cleveland (Gainesville), knocking down four from long range. Classmate Ana Anderson (Sharpsburg) added 12 of her own, yanking down seven boards and swatting a pair of shots. Senior LaRice Walker (Franklin) rounded out the double-digit scorers for the Bobcats with 11, tallying six boards and four assists as well, that latter number being a team-best.
The Bobcats were out-shot 51 percent (26-51) to 33 percent (19-58), providing the difference the Cougars needed. The Bobcats kept it closer with extra chances, out-rebounding the Cougars 43-35.
McGriff blocked her 65th career shot in tonight's contest, giving the junior sole possession of ninth in school history, passing Kim Moody (1992-94). Up next is Pamela Hunter (1987-91) with 80.
Georgia College falls to 6-7 in Peach Belt Conference (PBC) play with six contests left. That record puts the Bobcats at fifth in the West Division, with the top four teams advancing to the PBC Tournament Feb. 25.
The Bobcats are back in action Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 6:30 p.m. eastern, traveling to the University of Montevallo (5-17, 2-13 PBC). The Falcons most recently beat Young Harris tonight, 58-48 on the road.
The Georgia College Department of Athletics, two-time winners of the PBC Commissioner's Cup, sponsors 11 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. As a Division II program, Bobcat Athletics prides itself on balancing the life of the student-athlete, evidenced by the teams' multiple appearances in post-season competition as well as documented academic success and community-service involvement. Sign up at @GCBobcats on social media for up-to-the-minute reports, and visit GCBobcats.PhotoReflect.com to purchase photo prints from home athletic contests.
