Game Preview: The No. 14 University of North Georgia women's basketball team will look to get back on the winning track after having their eight-game win streak snapped with a Wednesday night matchup at Augusta before a Saturday matinee against Clayton State at home.
Nighthawks on the Web: Nighthawk fans not able to make it to the UNG Convocation Center Saturday 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. Wednesday's game at Augusta can be followed live via the links above, courtesy of AU's Sports Information Department. Fans can also follow the action through Twitter by following the women's basketball team (@UNGWBB).
Rankings: North Georgia fell to No. 14 in the nation according to D2SIDA and the WBCA, each released Tuesday afternoon. UNG is No. 2 in the D2SIDA Southeast Region poll, five points behind Catawba.
Last Week: The Nighthawks went 1-1 a week ago, beating Columbus State before an 87-81 loss at Lander Saturday.
Scouting Augusta: Augusta is 7-9 on the year and 4-4 in Peach Belt play. The Jaguars have lost four of the last five with their last two wins coming after extra periods were played. AU is 5-1 inside Christenberry Fieldhouse this season. Kiera Howard leads the Jags with 12.5 points per gouting, while Kennedi Manning averages 10.9 points and 7.5 boards per game. North Georgia is 14-7 against the Jaguars all-time, including winning each of the last five. The Nighthawks are 6-4 in Dahlonega against AU as well.
Scouting Clayton State: Clayton State is 9-7 on the year and 5-3 in league action headed into a Wednesday night home game against Columbus State. Clayton State played inside the UNG Convocation Center earlier this season, knocking off Carson-Newman before falling to Life. The Lakers are led by Taneria Wilson with 15.4 points per game. The Lakers lead the all-time series, 20-8, but UNG is on a five-game winning streak. UNG has won three of the last five in Dahlonega with the two losses coming by a combined three points.
Team Stats: North Georgia leads the Peach Belt in 10 statistical categories, including ranking in the top 10 in the nation in three of them. UNG is fifth in the nation in three point defense, holding opponents to 24.1 percent from downtown; eighth in DII in defensive boards per game with 31.4 defensive rebounds per contest; and ninth in field goal percentage, shooting at 47.1 percent from the floor.
Individual Stats: Julianne Sutton is the top scorer in the Peach Belt, scoring 17.1 points per game. She shoots the third best field goal percentage at 59.7 percent. Abbie Franklin ranks in the top six in all three point shooting categories as well as third in minutes played. Kara Groover ranks fourth in boards per game and assists per game.
Convocation Center Dominance: North Georgia remains a near impossible place to win for opposing teams. Buffie Burson's Nighthawks are 26-1 inside the UNG Convocation Center and have won 21 straight along the way. In those 26 wins are two regular season championships and a PBC Tournament Championship.
