Women’s hoops tops Columbus, advances

Bobcats use balanced scoring effort in 63-45 rout of Cougars, move on to PBC Final Four

The Georgia College women’s basketball team is moving on to the Peach Belt Conference semifinals after beating Columbus State 63-45 on March 2. The visiting Cougars were no strangers to the Centennial Center as the Bobcats had dominated them two weeks earlier at home. With only one day of rest after their victory over North Georgia, the Bobcats took control again.

“Anytime you can play on your home court the percentage will tell you you’ve got a better chance of winning,” Head Coach Maurice Smith said after the team earned him his first playoff win as a head coach. The Bobcats, coming in as the No. 2 seed in the PBC West, were all business for their opening tournament game. Senior guard Chimere Jordan, the team’s fierce leader, did a little bit of everything by leading the Bobcats in points with 14, along with six rebounds, five assists and four steals. Georgia College jumped on Columbus early after Jordan’s initial finger roll layup landed.

“Go hard before the first media timeout,” Jordan said. “Hold them to eight points.”

Answering the coaches’ preaching, with 10 minutes remaining, the Bobcats were controlling the floor up 20-7.

The Cougars’ troubles started early with numerous passes forced out of bounds and air balls. Relying on fouls to help slow the Bobcats, Columbus State put the Bobcats at the free throw line 15 times with Georgia College sinking 10. Sophomore Karisma Boykin, the Bobcats explosive point guard, scored 12 total points last week against Columbus, also providing six assists. In the first half of Wednesday’s game, Boykin added 10 of her own with four boards and three steals. Her best looking bucket came from a blatant behind the back shove from Columbus State. Boykin, sustaining her composure mid-air, put up a behind the shoulder layup that kissed the glass for two points. She sunk her free throw for a successful three point play to bring the game into halftime with her team up 38-22. The Bobcats out-rebounded Columbus in the first half and only had six turn overs to their opponents 14.

“We’re preaching defense,” Smith said. “Let’s start off setting the tone with our defense. The effort, the energy, and enthusiasm will make our offense go a whole lot better.”

Somehow, the Bobcats’ dominant offense got better in the second half, as they continued to punish the Cougars. With Smith constantly on his feet, pacing in excitement or arms crossed in dissatisfaction, his team kept tacking on points from all sides of the court. Last week’s return from halftime against Columbus State led to some questionable shots and unsure passes. The Bobcats made sure to overcome their slow second half start with a display of positive fast breaks. Junior forward Tammeisha Law, who only recorded one field goal in the first half, got going in the second half with two consecutive layups coming off of fast breaks. She ended up with 11 points and nine boards. Freshmen forwards Abby Slocumb and Krysta Lewis showed out in their first collegiate playoff game, combining for 20 points and 13 rebounds.

“It definitely helps being at home because we shoot on the goals constantly,” Lewis said.

Victory ultimately came from the distribution of points and good looks from many sources. Four Bobcats shot in double digits, and the team field goal percentage was 71 percent.

“That is the most I’m proud about, the team effort,” Smith said. “That’s what we’ve been wanting all year and girls are finally stepping up and shooting the ball with confidence.”

Georgia College advances to the conference Final Four to play Lander on March 5. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m.