AIKEN, S.C. — The University of North Georgia women’s basketball team went into half tied at USC Aiken but took control in the second half by limiting the Pacers to seven third quarter points en route to a 61-49 Peach Belt Conference road Wednesday.
The Nighthawks (12-7, 5-4 Peach Belt) had three players score in double figures, led by Emily Trushel, who had 22 points and three steals. Lexi Pierce added 10 points and Kaylee Sticker chipped in with a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
After jumping out to a 10-8 advantage, North Georgia went on a 9-0 run with 2:44 left in the first quarter, culminating in a three from Isabel Davenport, to increase its lead to 19-8.
North Georgia used a 5-0 run starting at the 6:26 mark in the second period to increase its lead to 26-17, but the Pacers battled back to even it up at 28-28 heading into halftime.
After intermission, North Georgia jumped out to a 36-33 lead before going on an 11-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Trushel, to expand its lead further to 47-33 with 1:11 to go in the third. North Georgia knocked down five three-pointers in the quarter to score 15 of its 19 total points while limiting the Pacers to just seven points.
North Georgia expanded its lead to 51-37 before going on a 6-0 run to grow the lead to its largest lead of the game, 57-37, with 3:51 to go in the contest.
Marta Rivera led USCA (4-15, 0-9 Peach Belt) with a team-best 14 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the floor and rounded out a double-double with 11 rebounds.
The win snapped a two-game slide for North Georgia with the Nighthawks returning to action on Saturday, Feb. 3 when Flagler comes to Dahlonega for a 1:30 p.m. start.
(Image and story by ungathletics.com)