Ashley Johnson scores career high as Columbus State knocks off Georgia Southwestern

The 14th-ranked Columbus State Lady Cougars had no problems staying perfect in the Peach Belt on Thursday night with a 63-48 victory over Georgia Southwestern at the Lumpkin Center.

It marked the eighth straight victory for the Lady Cougars (11-1, 5-0 PBC) and left Georgia Southwestern (6-6, 0-5) winless in conference play.

For the first time in the last 10 games, someone other than PBC preseason All-Conference guard Michelle Mitchell was the leading scorer for the Lady Cougars. Post/forward Ashley Johnson enjoyed a career night, finishing with 31 points and 18 total rebounds, 11 of those on the offensive glass.

Coach Jonathan Norton elected to shut down Mitchell in the second half after a nagging injury led to her shooting an uncharacteristic 1 for 9 from the floor and scoring just two points in the first half. It ended a streak of nine consecutive games for Mitchell with 20 or more points.

"We think it was a knee-to-knee in her game Monday night, more like a bone bruise," Norton said. "She just wasn't comfortable on her jump shots. We shut her down in the second half knowing we have just one day between this game and Saturday's, which is a big game.

"(Michelle) doesn't care about stats, she just wants to win and put her team in the best position to do that. I think she'll be OK. We just have to do a good job treating it."

Meanwhile, Johnson eclipsed her previous career high of 17, set just five days earlier at Francis Marion, in the first half as she finished the first two quarters with 19 points. The senior helped the Lady Cougars break out on a 16-2 run in the game's first 7:25, scoring nine of the 16 points for CSU.

"In the first quarter when I knew (Michelle) was hurt, I knew tonight was going to be my night," Johnson said. "I knew someone had to fill in her role."

Johnson's career night was a treat for Norton, who inserted her as a regular in the starting lineup just three games prior.

"It made me look like a genius," Norton said. "She's very skilled, very capable. She worked hard in the offseason. She's the most vocal player on our team and has a high basketball IQ. I'm proud of her. She deserves this night."

The Lady Hurricanes actually shot better than the Lady Cougars -- at 34.4 percent versus CSU's 29.7 percent -- but the difference came at the free-throw line. The Lady Cougars were 24 for 30 on foul shots compared to just 4 of 14 for GSW.

"We felt like we could attack the rim and they would foul, so we could get to the free-throw line and put them in, which we did," said Norton.

The Lady Cougars only have one day to rest before a huge conference game against Georgia College, which will bring a 13-1 record and spotless 5-0 conference record to the Lumpkin Center. Tipoff is set for 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

GEORGIA SOUTHWESTERN (6-6, 0-5 PBC)

Va'Queshia Hall 5-8 1-3 11; Yvonna Dunkley 4-13 0-2 10; Aleah Holden 3-6 2-6 8; Emili Russ 2-3 0-0 4; Chanice Whitton 2-5 0-0 4; Kenyona Armstrong 1-9 1-2 3; Khayla Owens 1-2 0-0 2; Kris Beckham 1-5 0-1 2; Ja'Quasha Sesler 1-4 0-0 2; Kwante'sha Love 1-3 0-0 2; Jasmine McSwain 0-1 0-0 0; Whitney Young 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 21-61 4-14 48.

COLUMBUS STATE (11-1, 5-0 PBC)

Ashley Johnson 11-17 9-14 31; Britteny Tatum 2-5 2-2 7; Eryn Cochran 0-1 7-7 7; Gabby Williams 3-8 0-1 6; Ashley Asouzu 1-9 2-2 4; Tatiana Wayne 1-5 2-2 4; Kristian Carter 0-1 2-2 2; Michelle Mitchell 1-9 0-0 2; Brea Walker 0-8 0-0 0; Erin Morrow 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 19-64 24-30 63.

GSW 8 11 15 14--48

CSU 20 14 10 19--63

3-point goals--Georgia Southwestern 2-15 (Yvonna Dunkley 2-6; Kenyona Armstrong 0-3; Kris Beckham 0-2; Ja'Quasha Sesler 0-2; Kwante'sha Love 0-1; Whitney Young 0-1), Columbus State 1-8 (Britteny Tatum 1-1; Eryn Cochran 0-1; Brea Walker 0-5; Erin Morrow 0-1). Fouled out--Georgia Southwestern-Kenyona Armstrong, Columbus State-None. Rebounds--Georgia Southwestern 38 (Va'Queshia Hall 8; Aleah Holden 8), Columbus State 55 (Ashley Johnson 18). Assists--Georgia Southwestern 8 (Yvonna Dunkley 2; Ja'Quasha Sesler 2), Columbus State 8 (Gabby Williams 4). Total fouls--Georgia Southwestern 27, Columbus State 15. Technical fouls--Georgia Southwestern-None, Columbus State-None. A-289

This story was originally published January 7, 2016 at 10:52 PM with the headline "Ashley Johnson scores career high as Columbus State knocks off Georgia Southwestern ."