TIGERVILLE, South Carolina | Behind a game-high 34 points from Stephanie Huffman, the University of North Georgia tipped off the 2014-15 basketball season with a 79-71 win over North Greenville University on the opening day of the Conference Carolinas/Peach Belt Classic held at NGU.  The senior guard connected on 13 of 22 shots from the field and missed a double-double by a single rebound, collecting nine.

Huffman was one of four double figure scorers as Kelsey Hutchins added 15 points on five of nine from the floor in her Nighthawk debut.  Molly Rainwater and Cierra Jackson added 12 and 10 respectively. 

Rainwater did all of her damage from behind the three-point line, connecting on half of her eight attempts.  Jackson completed the double-double with a team-best 11 rebounds.

The difference in the game was at the free throw line were North Georgia made good on 18 of 22 attempts (82%) compared to the Crusaders' dismal 15-33 (46%). 

The Nighthawks (1-0) will wrap up play in the cross-conference event tomorrow (Nov. 15) with a 7:00 p.m. tip off against Erskine in NGU's Hayes Gymnasium.