COUGARS
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

COUGARS LOSE PAIR OF CLOSE GAMES AT COLUMBUS STATE TOURNEY

1-2-06
CSU 65, CC 57
GC&SU 67, CC 62
CALDWELL, N.J. - The Caldwell College women's basketball team battled Columbus State and Georgia College & State University at the Columbus State Tournament on Dec. 29 and 30 in Columbus, Ga. The Cougars came up short in both games against the two teams that have appeared in the national rankings this season, falling to the host Lady Cougars 65-57, and to the Lady Bobcats 67-62. Sophomore forward Melissa Freeman (Cresskill, NJ/Cresskill), left, averaged 14.0 points and 11.5 rebounds in the two games to pace the Cougars, who are now 3-7 on the season.

The first game remained close throughout the first half and through most of the second. After trailing by as many as seven early in the second half, the Cougars battled back to take a 40-39 lead on a lay-up by junior guard Amy Ransom (Chattanooga, TN/Notre Dame) with 11:51 remaining. But Columbus State, sparked by six points from Abena Bosia, went on an 11-2 run to pull ahead, 50-42 with 5:39 on the clock. Caldwell would get no closer than six points the rest of the way. Freeman matched her career high with 14 rebounds to go with 12 points, while Ransom and sophomore forward Dana Leary (Bridgewater, NJ/Immaculata) each finished with 11 points. Bosia, Karina Pulici and Cherwonna Walker each scored 12 for CSU (8-4).

In the game against Georgia College & State, the Lady Bobcats led by as many as six points in the first half before taking a 29-25 lead at halftime. A three-pointer by Shanice Dawson put GC&SU up 40-31 with 15:40 left in the second half. The Lady Bobcats' advantage grew to as many as 14 points before the Cougars fought their way back into the game. Ransom's three capped a 9-2 Caldwell run that pulled the Cougars to within 61-55 with 1:45 to play. After Jessica Powers made 1-of-2 free throws, Leary's basket with a minute on the clock made the score 64-59. Another free throw by Lindsay Smith restored the lead to six, but after Powers missed a pair from the line, Ransom, left, nailed a three-pointer to pull the Cougars to within three, 65-62 with 24 seconds left. But GC&SU made two more from the free throw line to close out the win.

Freeman and junior guard Shannon Coyle (Matawan, NJ/St. John Vianney) each scored 16 points and Ransom finished with 14 points to lead Caldwell. Freeman, Ransom and Leary grabbed nine boards apiece to help give the Cougars a 51-42 advantage on the glass. Smith finished with 14 for the Lady Bobcats (7-3).

The Cougars return to conference play with a game at Philadelphia University on Jan. 10, beginning at 8:00 p.m.

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