MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. – An early shooting slump for the No. 16 University of North Georgia women's basketball team led to a second-quarter 13-point deficit before the Nighthawks stormed back for a 60-48 Peach Belt Conference victory over Georgia College.
Livi Blackstock added 17 fourth-quarter points, making five attempts from beyond the arc for her career-high in scoring.
Caroline Martin led the team in scoring with 20 points and added 10 rebounds for her fourth double-double of the season.
Kaylee Sticker struggled shooting on the night but helped the Nighthawks on the glass, finishing with nine rebounds.
Kayla Massop finished with nine points and five rebounds, while
Niyah Lutz led the team in assists with four.
Key Moments
- UNG (13-2, 5-1 PBC) began the game by making just one of their first 15-shot attempts. The Nighthawks struggled heavily in the first 14 minutes of action, shooting 6.67% from the field with 11 turnovers.
- Martin helped kickstart the offense with a steal and fastbreak layup at the 5:51 mark of the second quarter to make it a 17-6 game.
- Two Martin free throws and a Sticker steal and layup cut the North Georgia deficit to six.
- Sticker and Martin accounted for 11 of UNG's 12 second-quarter points, making it 21-16 at the halftime break.
- The Nighthawks took their first lead of the game with 8:26 left in the third quarter after Martin knocked down a three to give UNG the 24-23 lead.
- GC&SU (9-7, 1-5 PBC) answered with a 6-0 run to take a 29-24 lead at the 6:44 mark of the third quarter.
- Blackstock opened the fourth with a made three with 9:40 left in the game to take a 35-32 lead.
- The Bobcats regained the lead, but another made three for Blackstock tied the game at 39 with 7:46 remaining in the fourth.
- A Blackstock made three at the 6:20 mark, gave UNG a 42-40 lead before GC answered with five straight points to take a 45-42 lead. A third consecutive three for Blackstock came 14 seconds later to tie the game at 45.
- Massop converted an and-one opportunity with 2:30 remaining to give UNG a 50-46 lead. A final Blackstock three would spark a 10-0 run to end the game giving the Nighthawks the 12-point victory.
Next Up
A road matchup versus Flagler awaits North Georgia on Wednesday, Jan. 18, for a 5:30 p.m. tip-off versus the Saints. Flagler (4-12) is coming off a 61-57 home overtime victory over Young Harris. It will be the 28th meeting all-time between the two programs, with UNG holding a six-game winning streak in the series.
