Game Preview: The No. 15 University of North Georgia women's basketball team hits the road right in the middle of a four-game homestand Wednesday before returning home for Homecoming against No. 20/21 Lander on Saturday.
Nighthawks on the Web: Nighthawk fans not able to make it to the UNG Convocation Center this week 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. Links for all games can be found on the women's basketball schedule page. Fans can also follow the action through Twitter by following the women's basketball team (@UNGWBB).
Rankings: North Georgia remains in the D2SIDA receiving votes category and while jumping two spots to No. 15 in the WBCA Coaches Poll. The Nighthawks are fourth in the D2SIDA Region poll. NCAA Regional polls will begin next Wednesday.
Last Week: The Nighthawks won both games last week, defeating Georgia Southwestern by 18 before overcoming a 16-point fourth quarter deficit to beat UNC Pembroke, 66-62, on Saturday.
Scouting Columbus State: Columbus State is 15-5 and 10-4 in league play. The Cougars are coming off a 102-76 loss to Lander Saturday afternoon. LeeAysia Williamson currently averages 17.9 points per game, second best in the conference. North Georgia is 14-16 against Columbus State but the Nighthawks are on a four-game winning streak against the Cougars, including an 80-58 win over CSU back in January. UNG is 5-9 in Columbus, winning two straight.
Scouting Lander: Lander is currently ranked No. 20 in the nation by D2SIDA and No. 21 by the WBCA. The Bearcats are 19-3 overall and 14-0 in Peach Belt play headed into a home game against UNCP on Wednesday. LU has won 15 straight, led by Tabitha Dailey's 17.4 points per game. The Nighthawks lead the all-time series against LU, 13-10, with Lander winning earlier this year, 87-81. UNG is 9-2 in Dahlonega against Lander, not having lost in the Gold City since 2011.
Team Stats: North Georgia ranks first in the Peach Belt Conference in field goal percentage, field goal percentage defense, scoring defense and three point field goal defense. UNG is 10th in that nation in the last category.
Sutton Superlatives: Julianne Sutton is the leading scorer in the Peach Belt, scoring 18.2 points per game. She also won the Peach Belt Conference Player of the Week honor for the second time in her career on Monday.
Convocation Center Dominance: North Georgia remains a near impossible place to win for opposing teams. Buffie Burson's Nighthawks are 29-1 inside the UNG Convocation Center and have won 24 straight along the way. In those 29 wins are two regular season championships and a PBC Tournament Championship.
Milestone Watch: North Georgia as a program is just two wins away from No. 800. The milestone could be hit as early as Homecoming against Lander.
