FLORENCE, S.C. - Despite a furious comeback by North Greenville, the University of North Georgia women's basketball team led from the opening basket to the final horn in a 65-61 win over the Crusaders in the season opener Friday night in the Peach Belt/Conference Carolinas Challenge.
North Georgia led by as many as 21 points in the third quarter before the Crusaders mounted a comeback, scoring 24 points in the fourth period. Kara Groover and
Amber Skidgel hit five free throws combined down the stretch to keep a lead for UNG intact until the buzzer.
NOTES
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Deana Blankinship and
Mackenzie Darrah led the way for the Nighthawks with 15 points each. Blankinship pulled down nine boards, falling one short of a double-double. Skidgel added 11 to the cause for UNG.
- North Georgia remains unbeaten all-time against the Crusaders with a 5-0 record. The Nighthawks claimed their 11th consecutive season-opening win and have only lost one season opener since 2001.
- UNG had 30 points in the paint in the contest and 11 second chance points.
- In the first game of the challenge, Francis Marion defeated Erskine, 65-35.
NEXT UP
The Nighthawks will take on the Flying Fleet of Erskine tomorrow afternoon at 5 p.m. in the final game of the PBC/CC Challenge.
