FRANKLIN SPRINGS, Ga. -
Caroline Martin scored a game-high 19 points and the fourth-ranked University of North Georgia (UNG) used multiple momentum-turning runs, including a decisive fourth-quarter surge, to pull away for a 76-59 win at Emmanuel in EU's Shaw Athletic Center on Friday night.
North Georgia (2-2) hit 13 three-pointers and outscored the Lions 28-17 in the final period, breaking the game open after a first half that saw UNG lead by as many as 13 early in the second quarter.
The Nighthawks opened the game with a 6-2 burst, capped by an
Averie Jones layup, before Emmanuel answered to even the score it twice. UNG closed the first quarter with an 8-2 run, including a three from
Jaleah Storr and a transition jumper by
Maddie Millar, to take a 17-11 lead.
In the second quarter, Martin sparked a 10-3 stretch, hitting a pair of threes while
Hannah Cail added another from deep to push the advantage to 26-13. Emmanuel responded with back-to-back triples of its own, trimming the margin to six before UNG took a 29-23 lead into halftime.
The Lions closed within 29-25 to start the third, but North Georgia countered immediately. Cail drilled a fast-break three, and Preston scored on consecutive drives as part of an 11-3 Nighthawk run that rebuilt a double-digit cushion at 38-28. Later in the frame, Martin buried another three during a sequence that helped UNG maintain a 48-42 advantage entering the fourth.
The knockout stretch came early in the final period. Martin and Jones combined to score on three straight possessions as North Georgia launched a 14-2 run, fueled by three forced turnovers and transition baskets from Preston. Martin's third three of the night pushed the lead to 62-46, and UNG never allowed Emmanuel to climb back within single digits.
Jones finished with 15 points and five rebounds, while Preston added 12 points, five boards and four assists. Cail contributed nine points and a team-high six assists.
Kendall Emener added eight points and five rebounds as the Nighthawks turned 21 Emmanuel turnovers into 26 points.
Emmanuel (0-1) was led by Naomi Roberts' 15 points and eight rebounds.
North Georgia wraps up play at the Peach Belt/Conference Carolinas Challenge tomorrow (Nov. 15) at 2:00 p.m. against Young Harris.
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