DAHLONEGA – The University of North Georgia (UNG) women's basketball team remained unbeaten in Peach Belt Conference play as Kendall Emener scored a season-high 22 points in a 72-61 victory over Lander on Saturday in Lynn Cottrell Arena at the UNG Convocation Center.

Ava McGlockton led the Nighthawks early with six points in the opening quarter, while Riley Simmons added five. UNG trailed by three after the first period before outscoring the Bearcats 19-10 in the second quarter to take a 34-31 lead into halftime.

The Nighthawks broke the game open in the third quarter with a 17-0 run. Maddie Millar, Averie Jones, Hannah Cail and Emener each delivered timely baskets during the surge, pushing the UNG lead to 16 with 3:03 remaining in the period.

UNG's defense sealed the win in the fourth quarter, holding Lander to 6-of-16 shooting from the field. Zaynah Preston and Jaleah Storr each recorded key blocks to anchor the defensive effort.

Emener finished with 22 points and eight rebounds to pace North Georgia. McGlockton pulled down a team-high 10 rebounds, while Cail dished out a career-high eight assists.

With the win, the Nighthawks improved to 8-4 overall and 3-0 in PBC play.

Quadaija Langley led Lander (2-8, 0-4 PBC) with 22 points.

North Georgia returns to action on the road at USC Aiken, with tipoff scheduled for 5:30 p.m.