By Brackin Lambert
uscbathletics.com
BLUFFTON — It was a two-point game with less than two minutes to play, and the Sand Sharks had all the momentum, but the visiting Columbus State Cougars went 7-for-8 from the free-throw line to ice the game and hand USCB a tough 73-66 loss on Jan. 31 in The Cove.
“We’re competing in every game,” USCB coach Sharon Versyp said. “We’ve got a lot of young kids who are continuing to get better in all aspects of the game. We’re right there, hanging with a good ball club, and to be there you want it more and it hurts a little more, but I’m proud of this group. Every day we get closer to where we want to be.”
Three Sand Sharks posted double-digit efforts, led by junior Brielle Bartelt’s 16. Janiyah Heyward contributed 15 points and Shaniya Rose had 14 along with eight boards.
It remained a two-possession game for most of the final period. Heyward made it four-point game getting three the old-fashioned way, and Taniyah Bowman’s four-foot floater followed to make it 66-64. Columbus State took advantage of the clock and USCB’s need to foul, icing the game, giving the Cougars a 73-66 victory.
The Sand Sharks put up another strong effort Saturday before falling, 62-55, to Clayton State.
Taniyah Bowman led USCB in scoring with 14 points, while Madison Self continued her strong play as of late posting 12 points and eight rebounds. Mahkayla Premo added 10, rounding out the Sand Sharks offense.
It was a back-and-forth battle throughout the first three quarters but Clayton State took the lead with just more than five minutes to play, and the Lakers were able to knock down 9 of 12 from the free throw line to ice the game.
“The fans have been fantastic, the support, unmatched. It’s just a process and we’re moving in the right direction.”
