The Lady Cougars won the opening tip and scored on a Dominique Gilbert layup to give CSU the lead nine seconds in to the game in an early back-and-forth contest. There were four lead changes and three tied scores in the opening four minutes of action with Jordan Smith of UAH knocking down a three-pointer knotting the game at 10-10 three minutes and thirty-seven seconds into the contest.
CSU would call a timeout after the basket, then they would score the first eight points after the break capped off by Baleigh Coley's trifecta, giving them an 18-10 advantage. Columbus State would continue on its run after a Smith free throw as Carrie Washington and Tandria Milton each had layups and Nakita Holt added a free throw. A pair of Jasmine Hammon free throws again interrupted the short spurt before the Lady Cougars closed their 18-3 run with a 5-0 run. Asha Alexander scored four of the five points and Chatil Bradford knocked downed a free throw. This is Bradford's first action of the season as the freshman dealt with an early season injury.
Alabama-Huntsville responded back with an 11-4 run of their own including knocking down six consecutive free throws in the final minute of the half, cutting the lead down to six points. Gilbert hit a jumper at the buzzer to send CSU into the locker room with a 32-24 lead.
Coming out of the break, the Lady Cougars would extend their lead to 11 points (39-28) with 15:51 to go in the contest off an Alexander layup. Over the next four minutes and twenty seconds, UAH would chip away at the lead, going on a 12-4 run, cutting their deficit down to three, the lowest since they were down 13-10 early in the first half.
The battle tested Columbus State team would not fold and slowly grinded out baskets as they expanded their lead back out to 10 points, making it a 59-49 game with 4:19 to play. Six different players scored during the 16-9 run. CSU's suffocating defense would hold the Lady Chargers to just one field goal in the final three minutes and forty-three seconds of play.
Milton would lead a trio of players in double figures as she scored a team-high 17 points. Gilbert posted her third double-double of the year netting 12 points and grabbing 12 rebounds while Alexander just missed her first double-double, dropping 13 points and corralling nine boards. Holt dished out a game-high seven assists. CSU had its best defensive night of the season so far, limiting UAH to just 17-of-64 (26.6%) shooting from the field and an even worse 6-of-33 (18.2%) from three-point range. The Lady Cougars dominated the glass, out-rebounding the Lady Chargers 59-43, leading to 20 second chance points for CSU.
The 5-0 start matches their best start since the 2002-03 season, when they also began the year 5-0 on their way to a 28-4 campaign.
Alabama-Huntsville was led by Smith, who put in a game-high 22 points on 8-of-18 shooting for the night. She also registered seven rebounds. Jasmine Hammon was the other Lady Charger in double figures, scoring 14 points and pulling down nine rebounds. Janie Graves grabbed a team best 10 rebounds.
Columbus State is right back in action as they take on tournament host West Florida tomorrow night at UWF Field House. The Lady Argos are taking on Rollins in the second contest of this evening's Highpoint Hotel Corporation Classic. Tip-off is set for 5:00 p.m.
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