No. 9 UNG holds off Columbus State in PBC women’s semifinal, 89-78

PRESS RELEASE

DAHLONEGA – After jumping out to a big lead, the No. 9 University of North Georgia women’s basketball team had to hold off a late Columbus State frenzy to win the PBC semifinal Saturday, 89-78.

North Georgia bursted out of the gates, leading 21-9 after one quarter and by as many as 26 points early in the second half before the Cougars fought back, trimming the lead down to eight points at the end of the third period.

The Nighthawks would outscore CSU, but the Cougars got the lead down to five midway through the fourth before North Georgia pulled away late.

NOTES
– Julianne Sutton put up a double-double of 27 points and 12 rebounds, while Jamari McDavid scored 17. Josie Earnhardt and Caroline Martin scored 15 and 11, respectively.

– North Georgia shot nearly 51 percent from the floor and hit 24-of-28 free throws.

– Columbus State’s Amber Abusbeih scored a game high 30 points.

– Clayton State upset No. 6 Lander in the other semifinal, 71-64.

NEXT UP
The Nighthawks will battle the Lakers tomorrow at 2 p.m. for the PBC Championship.