DAHLONEGA, Ga. - The University of North Georgia women's basketball team dropped a 69-61 decision to fifth-ranked Columbus State on Saturday afternoon in Memorial Hall. UNG now stands at 19-8 overall and 11-7 in the Peach Belt Conference heading into next week's regular season finale.

Senior Jordan Livesay got the crowd fired up with a three-point basket just six seconds into the game, but it proved tough for the Nighthawks to maintain momentum.

After trailing 22-9 following the first quarter, North Georgia answered back in a big way in the second quarter as the Nighthawks used a 14-2 run, including 11 straight points, to erase the CSU lead and tie the game at 28-all. Columbus State responded with nine straight points and a 10-2 run overall to close the half for a 38-30 lead at halftime. 

In the second half the Nighthawks trailed by as many as 20 points with just seven minutes left in the game, but continued to battle, winning the fourth quarter 23-16.

NOTES
 
- Columbus State shot just 36.5 percent (23-for-63), but forced 26 North Georgia turnovers on the afternoon.
 
- UNG made a season-low 16-of-48 field goal attempts. The Nighthawks were 25-for-28 from the free throw line.

- Jordan Livesay led the Nighthawks on her Senior Day, with 20 points and six rebounds to go along with a block and a steal.

- Senior Kelsey Hutchins rounded out the Nighthawk effort going 7-8 from the free-throw stripe adding to her 11 points and six rebounds.

- After missing a pair of games, Alexis Carter returned with 22 points and 10 rebounds to pace the Lady Cougars.

- The win is CSU's 15th consecutive as they improve to 24-1 overall and 17-1 in league play. 

- The team's four seniors – Kaylee Akin, Kelsey Hutchins, Jordan Livesay and Riley Slaton – were honored in pregame ceremony.

NEXT UP
The Nighthawks travel to Young Harris on Wednesday, Feb. 22 to take in a Battle of Blood Mountain game. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.