DAHLONEGA – An all-around strong first half lifted the University of North Georgia (UNG) women's basketball team to a 76-50 win over USC Aiken (USCA) Wednesday night inside Lynn Cottrell Arena at the UNG Convocation Center.
Both teams came out the gates with stellar defensive performances, as the Nighthawks and Pacers combined for just 13 points and seven turnovers before the under-five media timeout.
Kiley Graham came off the bench for the Nighthawks and provided an instant spark, scoring 10 points with two rebounds and a steal. Graham, whose previous UNG career-high was seven points, surpassed that total in the first quarter alone to give UNG a 17-11 advantage.
With 5:45 remaining in the second, a 5-0 run off deep three-pointer from Averie Jones and a layup from Riley Simmons put the Nighthawks up 10 and forced a Pacers timeout. UNG closed out the quarter on an 18-4 run and headed into halftime with a 39-22 lead.
The Pacers opened the scoring in the second half with a layup from Mackenna Nix and a three from Nika Kurdija to string together a 5-0 USCA run. The Nighthawks answered right back with a pair of threes from Jones and a layup from Kendall Emener to give UNG a 13-point lead with five minutes left in the third quarter.
Strong defense from Emener and well-rounded scoring from the Nighthawks closed out the third to give UNG a 19-point lead.
The Nighthawks continued to dominate in the final quarter, pushing their lead to 25 after a three from Hannah Cail. North Georgia kept its foot on the gas, finishing the game with 12-made threes en route to the win.
With 1:42 remaining in the fourth quarter, head coach Buffie Burson called a timeout, and the Nighthawk faithful erupted as Caroline Martin checked into the game. Martin, one of the best players in North Georgia women's basketball history, has been sidelined for almost two months with an injury and got to see the floor for the first time since Dec. 10, 2025.
Jones paced the Nighthawks with 19 points. The sophomore guard from Dahlonega, Ga. has now scored at least 19 points in 10 games this season. Simmons chipped in a career-high 6 assists in the win.
With their second-straight win, the Nighthawks improve to 14-9 overall and 9-4 in PBC play.
USCA (7-14 overall, 3-10 PBC) was led by Monique Emelifeonwu with 13 points and five blocks.
The Nighthawks return to action for a road conference matchup with Lander on Saturday, Feb. 7. Tipoff is set for 1:30 p.m. at Finis Horne Arena in Greenwood, S.C.
