DAHLONEGA -
Averie Jones scored a career-high 33 points in the University of North Georgia (UNG) women's basketball team's 69-52 Peach Belt Conference win over Middle Georgia Saturday afternoon at Lynn Cottrell Arena inside the UNG Convocation Center.
Middle Georgia kept North Georgia on its heels early, as the Knights used an 11-3 run over the final 4:16 of the opening quarter to take an 18-11 lead. The Nighthawks had briefly pulled within three on two occasions but struggled to slow the Knights' late surge.
North Georgia responded in a big way in the second quarter, opening the frame with a 9-0 run to regain the lead. Jones caught fire, scoring 14 points in the period as UNG turned the game around on both ends of the floor. The Nighthawks shot 60% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc in the quarter while holding Middle Georgia to just eight points, building a 36-26 advantage at halftime.
The Nighthawks continued to press in the third, never allowing their lead to drop below double digits. Jones capped the dominant frame with a pair of free throws in the closing seconds to push the margin to 24, giving North Georgia firm control heading into the final quarter.
Middle Georgia outscored the Nighthawks in the fourth but could not chip away at the deficit as North Georgia comfortably closed out the win.
Jones finished 11 of 19 from the field and 7 of 10 from 3-point range, putting an exclamation point on the victory.
With the win, North Georgia improved to 16-10 overall and 11-5 in conference play.
Mauryah Jones led Middle Georgia with 12 points, seven rebounds and six assists.
North Georgia returns to action Feb. 18 with a road contest at Georgia College, with tipoff scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
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