(MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga.) — The North Georgia women’s basketball team exploded for 32 fourth quarter points to battle back from a five-point deficit and earn a 72-64 Peach Belt Conference road win at Georgia College & State University on Wednesday evening.
The Nighthawks (14-7, 7-4 Peach Belt) had four players score in double figures, led by Kendall Emener, who had 15 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Isabel Davenport added 15 points of her own and Lexi Pierce pitched in with 14 points and two steals.
Ansley Hall came off the bench to score 12 points while Emily Trushel scored eight, all in the second half.
The North Georgia offense made hay from deep, knocking down 10 threes on 26 attempts led by a six combined treys from Pierce and Davenport for the Nighthawks.
After falling behind 12-5, North Georgia went on a 5-0 run with 5:50 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Kaylee Sticker, to narrow its deficit to 12-10. GCSU answered back and added to its lead, leaving the Nighthawks down 14-10 entering the second quarter.
The Bobcats kept adding to that lead, building a 27-17 advantage before North Georgia went on a 6-0 run, highlighted by a three from Pierce, to narrow its deficit to 27-23. The Nighthawks entered halftime with a 31-27 deficit.
North Georgia’s deficit continued to grow after halftime, and the Nighthawks faced a 45-40 disadvantage heading to the fourth quarter.
North Georgia narrowed its deficit to 55-51 before going on a 7-0 run to seize a 58-55 lead with 4:33 to go in the contest and the Nighthawks would hang on from there making good on 5-of-6 free throws in the final 0:41.
Myra Strickland led three GCSU (10-11, 4-7 Peach Belt) players in double figures with a team-best 13 points.
North Georgia opens a two-game home stand on Saturday, Feb. 13 when Columbus State visits Lynn Cottrell Arena at the UNG Convocation Center as part of Alumni and Hall of Fame Day.
