DAHLONEGA | The North Georgia women's basketball team rang in the new year with an overtime thriller downing Georgia College (5-5, 1-2 Peach Belt), 92-91, in front of a packed crowd at Memorial Hall in the PBC home opener. With the victory UNG advances to 10-2 on the year with a 2-1 record in league play.
 
Senior guard Stephanie Huffman posted her third double-double of the season to pace UNG in both points (25) and rebounds (15), while helping North Georgia erase an early double digit deficit.
 
The Nighthawks did not lead until Kaylee Akin hit a three-point shot just before the halftime buzzer to give UNG the advantage at the break, 34-33.
 
North Georgia extended its lead to as much as 14 at the 5:12 mark of the second half, but the Bobcats (5-5, 1-2 PBC) did not go quietly, erasing the UNG lead with a 15-1 run to finish the half.
 
The extra period saw five lead changes though neither team ever led by more than two points. Kelsey Hutchins gave UNG a 90-89 lead with just 17 seconds left on a layup, but LaRice Walker went coast-to-coast to put the Bobcats back on top, 91-90, with 10 seconds left.
 
Jordan Livesay found the ball in her hands in the final seconds and launched a three-pointer for the win. The shot deflected off the iron back towards Livesay, who collected her own rebound and got off one last attempt with just eight tenths of a second left. That shot found the bottom of the net giving UNG the comeback victory.

Molly Rainwater (17), Cierra Jackson (16), Kelsey Hutchins (14) and Lauren Pounds (10) joined Huffman in double figures for North Georgia.
 
The Nighthawks will have a quick turnaround making the trip over Blood Mountain to take on rival Young Harris Monday with tipoff set for 5:30 p.m.