Game Preview: The No. 14 University of North Georgia women's basketball team opens up Peach Belt Conference play Sunday evening with a matchup against USC Aiken inside the Convocation Center.
Nighthawks on the Web: Nighthawk fans not able to make it to the UNG Convocation Center Wednesday afternoon can follow along through streaming on YouTube and Facebook, local cable television (Windstream cable channels 78.12 and HD channel 890), live statistics on UNGAthletics.com and on all social media platforms. The game will also be simulcast live on the flagship radio station of North Georgia basketball, Glory 97.9 FM and AM 1330. Fans can also follow the action through Twitter by following the women's basketball team (@UNGWBB).
Rankings: North Georgia is the consensus No. 14 team in the nation, coming in at that spot in both the D2SIDA and WBCA polls this week. UNG is No. 2 in the D2SIDA Southeast Region poll behind the unanimous No. 1 team in the region, Anderson.
Last Week: The Nighthawks got back on the winning track with a 76-53 win over Clark Atlanta back on December 4, holding the Panthers to just 14 first half points.
Scouting USC Aiken: USC Aiken is 4-3 on the year, having won all four in their last five games. The only loss in that stretch for the Pacers was a two point loss at home to Emmanuel, 67-65, on December 3. Three players average double figures for the Pacers, including Preseason All-Conference honoree Kwajelin Farrar at 17 points per game. The redshirt junior is barely under averaging a double-double, pulling down 9.7 rebounds per contest this season. North Georgia leads the all-time series, 12-9, and have won the last four matchups. UNG is 8-3 at home against USC Aiken with the last loss coming in January 2017, a 66-62 loss inside Memorial Hall.
Team Stats: North Georgia leads the Peach Belt Conference in assists, assists per game, blocks, blocks per game, defensive rebounds per game, field goal percentage, field goal percentage defense, free throw attempts, free throws made, rebound margin, rebounds, rebounds per game, scoring defense, scoring margin, three point defense, threes attempted, threes made, threes made per game and three point percentage, totaling 19 stats that the Nighthawks are best in the Peach Belt. Nationally, UNG ranks third in defensive boards per contest, fourth in three point defense and ninth in field goal percentage defense.
Individual Stats: Julianne Sutton leads the Peach Belt in field goals made and is fourth in shooting percentage at just under 56 percent from the floor. She is also the fourth best scorer in the league, averaging 16.3 points per contest. Abbie Franklin is the best three point shooter in the league, making 40 percent of her threes this season. Kara Groover, standing at 5-7, is the fourth best rebounder in the conference, pulling down a team-best 7.6 boards per game.
Convocation Center Dominance: The Convocation Center has become a nightmare for opposing teams to play in against North Georgia. Buffie Burson's Nighthawks are 22-1 all-time inside the arena, winning 17 straight at home.
