By Scott Wallace
Wallace Media Group

Lynchburg, Tenn.- Lamarra Gordon scored 32 points and Alexis Lang added 20 as the Columbia State Community College Lady Chargers (2-1, 1-1 TCCAA) won 77-63 over the Motlow State Community College Lady Bucks in Tennessee Community College Athletic Association action.

The Lady Chargers ran out to a 15-point lead early in the first half, but found themselves down three at the intermission as the Bucks were propelled by a 16-0 run, all from the free-throw line. The foul trouble forced Head Coach Bridget Goodnight to make some halftime adjustments.

With 6-foot-4 center Porche Hannah and her back-up Marissa Lyttle both in foul trouble, Goodnight gave Tanika Jackson extended minutes in the second half. Jackson's size, quickness and length made it tough for the Lady Bucks to break the press. Allison Wiley got a hand on the ball many times to disrupt Motlow's offense. Their play along with Hannah Smith allowed the Chargers to go up by as many as 19 points.

"It was good to get minutes today," said Jackson. "I am in pretty good shape so it didn't bother me to play so long. Porche and Marissa were in foul trouble so Coach made some great halftime adjustments. We made it tough on them."

Gordon scored 16 points in both halves, but it was Lang who stepped up her scoring in the second half also scoring 16. After settling for jump shots in the first half, she was more aggressive in the second, going 8 of 10 from the free-throw line and scoring all of her second-half field goals in the paint.

"With our big men out they had to put a slower person on me," said Lang. "When I saw the mismatch, I knew I had to go to the basket more. Everybody stepped up today. We lost a tough one yesterday so we had to dig deep."

Every player scored for the Lady Chargers except Lyttle, who did contribute with six rebounds.

"We made the plays we had to make," said Wiley. "I liked how we scrapped in the second-half to get the win. We all contributed to this one."

Columbia State will be back at home this Friday versus Chattanooga State. They will take on Cleveland State on Saturday.

Allison Wiley 3-6 1-2 8, Tanika Jackson 0-2 3-4 3, Marlee Stephens 1-1 0-0 2, Kristian Watkins 1-1 0-0 2, Hannah Smith 4-8 0-0 8, Alexis Lang 4-15 12-14 20, Lamarra Gordon 11-22 8-8 32, Porche Hannah 1-6 0-0 2, Marissa Lyttle 0-2 0-2 0. Totals 25-63 24-30 77

Motlow State (0-2, 0-1)
Jade Fite 0-4 0-0 0, Chloe Neil 5-7 0-0 15, Ashley Kee 0-3 3-4 3, Tanika Gholston 0-0 0-0 0, Lauren Brown 1-8 1-2 3, Alexis Smith 0-4 0-0 0, Breeanna Horner 5-10 5-6 18, Chelsea Holman 3-10 2-4 9, Katie Leverette 0-0 0-0 0, Sabrina Jackson 3-21 7-9 13, Erin Layne 1-3 0-0 2. Totals 18-70 18-25 63

FG%: Columbia State .397, Motlow State .257. 3-pt FG:Columbia State 3-14 (Wiley 1-3, Lang 0-2, Gordon 2-8, Lyttle 0-1), Motlow State 9-23 (Fite 0-1, Neil 5-7, Kee 0-2, Brown 0-2, Horner 3-6, Holman 1-4, Layne 0-1). Rebounds: Columbia State 52 (Lang 11), Motlow State 44 (Jackson 18). Fouls Columbia State 21, Motlow State 21. Fouled out: none. Technical: HORNER. Assists: Columbia State 12 (Lang 5, Gordon 5), Motlow State 13 (Neil 3, Kee 3, Horner 3). Steals: Columbia State 12 (Lang 4), Motlow State 7 (Brown 2, Jackson 2). Blocked shots: Columbia State 7 (Hannah 5), Motlow State 8 (Jackson 6). Turnovers: Columbia State 16, Motlow State 24. Attendance: