DAHLONEGA – Despite a 30-point performance from Averie Jones, the University of North Georgia (UNG) women's basketball team wrapped up their regular season with an 83-85 loss to USC Beaufort (USCB) on Senior Day at Lynn Cottrell Arena inside the UNG Convocation Center on Saturday afternoon. 

The Nighthawks went back and forth with USC Beaufort to open the game, but a pair of early buckets from Kiley Graham gave North Georgia some momentum. After the Sand Sharks started to break away from North Georgia, the Nighthawks were able to tie the game on a couple of occasions, but a 5-0 run from USCB helped the Sand Sharks head into the second quarter with the lead. 

A three from Jones in the opening minute of the second period brought the Nighthawks back within two, but the Sand Sharks continued to stay out in front. An 11-0 run midway through the quarter extended USCB's advantage to 13, as the Sand Sharks were able to hold on to a 44-33 lead at the end of the first half. 

In the third, the Nighthawks started to slowly chip away at the Sand Shark lead. Zaynah Preston and Ava McGlockton anchored UNG's defense, setting up balanced-scoring opportunities for Jones, Hannah Cail and Jaleah Storr.  

With 1:15 left in the third quarter, Graham hit another three pointer to give the Nighthawks their first lead since the opening minutes of the game. The Sand Sharks answered with a shot right before time expired, and the two teams headed into the final period tied 58-58. 

North Georgia and USC Beaufort traded baskets in the fourth, with the lead changing numerous times in the first five minutes of the quarter.  

With under one minute remaining trailing by three, the Nighthawks came up with a huge defensive stop to get the ball back. In transition, Preston whipped the ball to an open Jones in the left corner. Jones knocked down the three and tied the game with 25 seconds left. 

Coming out of a timeout, The Sand Sharks hit the go-ahead basket with three seconds left. The Nighthawks called a timeout to draw up one final play but could not get a shot off in the closing seconds. 

Jones led the Nighthawks (18-12, 13-7 PBC) with 30 points. Jones also knocked down four threes, which puts her just two away from moving into second place for most threes made in a season in program history. 

USC Beaufort (18-9, 15-5 PBC) was paced by Lydia Gattozzi's 20 points. 

North Georgia is now locked into the No. 3 seed in the 2026 Peach Belt Conference Women's Basketball Tournament. The Nighthawks will host their quarterfinal matchup at Lynn Cottrell Arena inside the UNG Convocation Center on Wednesday, Mar. 4. Game time and opponent will be announced by the league at a later time.