DAHLONEGA - Julianne Sutton led all scorers with 20 points as the No. 11 University of North Georgia women's basketball team earned an 82-64 win over Life on the opening day of the North Georgia Classic Friday night inside the UNG Convocation Center.

After a first half that saw the Running Eagles hang around, the Nighthawks jumped way out in front with a 23-9 third quarter that stretched the lead to as many as 26 points.

Life didn't go quietly, however, as they cut the lead down to 14 multiple times early in the fourth quarter, but North Georgia answered each time with big baskets to stop the runs and seal the fifth win of the season.

NOTES
- In just 24 minutes, Sutton went 8-for-14 from the floor to earn her second 20-point game of the year.

- Kyra Davis also finished in double figures, falling a rebound short of a double-double with 15 points.

- North Georgia outscored the Running Eagles in the paint, 44-14.

- Clayton State upset No. 21 Carson-Newman, 78-68, in the first game of the classic.

NEXT UP
North Georgia will battle C-N in a top-25 matchup tomorrow afternoon at 3:30 p.m.