Game Preview: The No. 13 University of North Georgia women's basketball team looks to build on last week's success with four games to play as they battle Augusta at home and Georgia College on the road this week.
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 jumps up to No. 20 in the D2SIDA National Poll and No. 13 in the WBCA Coaches Poll. UNG is No. 2 in the D2SIDA Southeast Region poll, the last one to be published as the NCAA Regional Rankings begin on Wednesday.
Last Week: The Nighthawks swept the two games last week, defeating Columbus State on the road before winning the 800th program game with a 17 point win over No. 20 Lander
Scouting Augusta: Augusta sits at 9-15 on the year and 6-10 in Peach Belt Conference action. The Jaguars have won two straight after losing nine of 10 prior to the current winning streak. Wednesday's game will be the final road game of the regular season for AU. Kennedi Manning leads the way for the Jags at 11.8 points per game. UNG is 15-7 against Augusta all-time, including winning six straight in the series. The Nighthawks won the earlier game this season inside Christenberry Fieldhouse, 61-56, holding off a late surge by AU in the fourth quarter. Macey Gregg finished the game with 18 points to lead North Georgia.
Scouting Georgia College: Losers of six straight, the Bobcats sit at 5-19 overall and 2-14 in league play in 2019- 20. Georgia College has won just one game in the 2020 calendar year, a 62-43 win over Augusta on January 25. Harper Vick is the only player on the Bobcats averaging double figures at 14.3 points per game. The Nighthawks hold a slight 18-15 advantage in the all-time series and have won five straight in the series. GC, however, has had the upper hand in the Centennial Center, winning nine of the 14 matchups in Milledgeville. UNG won the matchup earlier in the season in Dahlonega, 65-48, behind a 21 point performance from Julianne Sutton.
Team Stats: North Georgia ranks first in the Peach Belt Conference in field goal percentage, field goal percentage defense, scoring defense, three point field goal defense and three point percentage. UNG is third in Division II in three point defense, holding opponents to just 24.7 percent from behind the arc. That mark is 0.6 percent more than the national leader.
Individual Leaders: Julianne Sutton is the leading scorer in the Peach Belt, scoring 18.3 points per game. She also has hit the most shots in the league. Abbie Franklin has played the most minutes in the conference and is the best shooter percentage-wise from beyond the three-point line.
Convocation Center Dominance: North Georgia remains a near impossible place to win for opposing teams. Buffie Burson's Nighthawks are 30-1 inside the UNG Convocation Center and have won 25 straight along the way. In those 30 wins are two regular season championships and a PBC Tournament Championship.
