ERIE, Pa. - The No. 4 University of North Georgia women's basketball team battled through several momentum swings but came up short in 70-55 loss to fifth-ranked Gannon on Sunday afternoon in the final game of the 2025 D2CCA Tip-Off Classic at the Highmark Events Center.
Gannon came out firing, opening the game on a 12-4 run and holding North Georgia without a field goal for more than three minutes in the first quarter. The Nighthawks settled in defensively midway through the period but still trailed 21-7 after the opening frame.
North Georgia found its rhythm in the second quarter, sparked by
Kendall Emener's presence inside and
Caroline Martin's ability to attack the rim. A 9-2 run trimmed the deficit to 24-16, and UNG outscored the Golden Knights 17-14 in the period to close the half within 11 at 35-24.
Momentum carried over early in the third, as
Averie Jones hit back-to-back threes and Emener added a pair of put-backs to cut Gannon's lead to 41-35. The Golden Knights answered immediately, however, connecting on consecutive three-pointers of their own and forcing a timeout to halt the surge. North Georgia continued to trade baskets throughout the period but couldn't pull closer than six points.
In the final quarter, foul trouble and Gannon's size inside took a toll as the hosts used a 10–2 spurt midway through the frame to seal the win.
Martin led the Nighthawks with 15 points, going 7-for-10 from the free-throw line, while Jones finished with 14 points and a pair of steals. Emener recorded her first double-double of the season with 11 points and 12 rebounds and
Kiley Graham added four points and four boards off the bench.
North Georgia (1-2) outrebounded Gannon 33-28 with 13 offensive boards leading to 11 second-chance points. Gannon (2-1) was paced by Bri Claxon's 23 points and 8-for-19 three-point shooting as a team.
The Nighthawks return to action on Friday, Nov. 14 at the Conference Challenge at Emmanuel where they will take on the host Lions at 6:00 p.m.
