DUE WEST, S.C. – University of North Georgia senior Kelsey Hutchins crossed the her 1,000th career point mark in the Nighthawks’ 84-65 victory over Erskine Saturday night at the Peach Belt/Conference Carolinas Challenge hosted by Erskine. UNG moves to 2-0 on the young season after sweeping the competition at the tournament.

Erskine opening the game with a quick three pointer but the Nighthawks would take the lead less than two minutes into the game with a Jordan Livesay jumper in the paint and UNG never looked back outscoring the Flying Fleet 22-14 in the first quarter of play and taking a 48-27 lead into intermission.

The third and fourth quarters proved to be more competitive and although Erskine outscored North Georgia in the second half, the Flying Fleet couldn’t find an extended run to chip away at the big North Georgia lead, resulting in the 19 point defeat.

NOTES
– Kelsey Hutchins becomes the 21st player in North Georgia history to score 1,000 points in her career in Dahlonega, the last coming last year in former teammate Cierra Jackson. Hutchins also scored 180 points as a freshman at Faulkner State before transferring to North Georgia, although they do not count towards her NCAA-career total.

– Hutchins teamed up with newcomer Mackenzie Darrah to lead the team with 21 points each. It was the second consecutive night that the senior forward averaged more than a point per minute played. Hutchins led the team in rebounds as well with seven on the night.

– The win marks the fourth consecutive year that UNG has started out the season 2-0. Last season the Nighthawks reeled off six straight wins to start the season.

NEXT UP
North Georgia will return to Dahlonega for their home opener next weekend hosting the UNG Nighthawk Classic on Nov. 18 – 19. The Nighthawks will face Auburn-Montgomery on Friday, Nov. 18 at 6 p.m., and Emmanuel (Ga.) on Saturday, Nov. 19 at 4 p.m.

DUE WEST, S.C. – Senior forward Kelsey Hutchins scored 30 points leading the University of North Georgia women’s basketball team to a 73-46 season-opening victory over North Greenville Friday evening in the Peach Belt/Conference Carolinas Challenge. It is the 10th consecutive season opening win for head coach Buffie Burson‘s program.

After North Greenville took an early lead, the two teams went back and forth until UNG went on a 9-0 run late in the second quarter to carry a 31-23 lead into the half. The Nighthawks had a nine point advantage in the third quarter and edged out North Greenville by 10 points in the fourth to close out the impressive season-opening performance, 73-46.

Hutchins was the only Nighthawk in double digits on the night with her incredible 30 point performance in just 24 minutes of play. The next highest scorer was freshman Alli Jones with seven. Hutchins lead UNG off the glass as well with eight rebounds on the night.

North Georgia will wrap up the PBC/CC Challenge tomorrow facing host, Erskine tomorrow, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m.