GREENWOOD, S.C. - For the second time in program history, the No. 24 University of North Georgia women's basketball team claimed the Peach Belt Conference regular season crown with an 80-74 win over Lander Wednesday night at LU's Finis Horne Arena.

The Nighthawks never trailed in the game after Julie McKie hit a jumper just 20 seconds into the contest. UNG led by as many as 14 in the first half.

The Bearcats did not go quietly, however. With the No. 1 seed in the Peach Belt tournament on the line, Lander cut the lead to just two points with seven minutes to play in the third quarter, but UNG scored seven of the next nine points to stretch the lead back out to seven points. LU got to within five again with 1:45 left in the contest but got no closer as the Nighthawks clinched the regular season championship.

McKie led all scorers, notching a double-double with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Amber Skidgel finished with 16 points on a 7-of-13 shooting night from the field.

NOTES
- Two Bearcats finished with double-doubles. Breshay Johnson put up 16 points with her 14 boards, while Chelsea Mitchell added 14 points and 11 rebounds.

- The Nighthawks last won the regular season crown in the 2005-06 season, the first year UNG was a member of the PBC and NCAA Division II.

- North Georgia shot 31-of-59 from the floor and 13-of-14 from the free throw line.

NEXT UP
The Nighthawks will play their final regular season game against Georgia Southwestern on Saturday with tip off set for 1:30 p.m. in the brand new UNG Convocation Center.