DAHLONEGA — The No. 24 University of North Georgia women's basketball team punched their ticket to the Peach Belt Conference semifinals with a 58-49 win over UNC Pembroke Wednesday night in the new UNG Convocation Center.
 
Amber Skidgel came out strong from beyond the arc to score a three-pointer and start the quarterfinal matchup between UNG and UNCP, forcing the Braves to respond early.
The Nighthawks built a 36-20 lead at the half thanks to ten points from Julie McKie and Julianne Sutton.
 
While it appeared that the trailing Braves were losing steam in the third, they came out aggressive in the fourth to outscore UNG, 14-13, and narrow the lead to single digits, putting pressure on UNG for the remainder of the game.
 
With under two minutes on the clock, Abbie Franklin drove to the basket for a security layup to put the Nighthawks up, 58-46. UNCP's Kasey Drayton sunk a three to cut the lead to 58-49, but UNG reclaimed possession to win the contest and eliminate the eighth seed.
 
NOTES
- Three Nighthawks finished in double figures: Sutton (14), McKie (12), and Franklin (11).
 
- UNG was responsible for eight blocks in the contest, four of which came from Sutton.
 
- Other winners from the quarterfinals included second-seeded Lander, third-seeded Columbus State and fifth-seeded Georgia College.
 
NEXT UP
North Georgia will advance to the PBC Tournament semifinals Saturday, March 3, back in the Convocation Center. This will be the first time that UNG has hosted the PBC Championship for any sport in Dahlonega. The Nighthawks will face Georgia College Saturday at a time to be announced Thursday morning.