By Chris Whitaker
The Americus Times-Recorder
DAHLONEGA - Brittany Reynolds has experienced a lot of things in her four years at Georgia Southwestern.
But this season has by far been the most successful. Her blocked shot in the final two seconds on Wednesday helped GSW hold on for a 60-58 win at North Georgia.
The Lady Hurricanes matched their win total from last season in improving to 8-8 overall and 3-3 in the Peach Belt. They also broke a 3-game skid as they played five games in 11 days.
Nadirah Gardner scored 14 to lead the Lady Hurricanes, and Terra Branch had 12.
"This is a tremendous win for us," said coach Kelly Britsky. "Right now, North Georgia is below us in the standings, and we want to stay on top of them."
With Montevallo losing to Clayton State, GSW is in a three-way tie for third in the West Division with Montevallo and Columbus State.
It was Spirit Night at North Georgia with an attendance of about 2,700. Britsky said it was a tough atmosphere to play in.
"It was loud," she said. "We couldn't hear to call a play, we couldn't call a defense, and the kids couldn't hear each other. It was an incredible atmosphere to play in; very much like a tournament game."
The game had 13 ties and 15 lead changes in the game as neither team led by than more than six. GSW held that margin in the first half before North Georgia rallied to take a 28-27 lead at the half.
"Nobody ever got on a big run," said Britsky. "It was an evenly-matched game, and we pulled it out by our chinny, chin-chin."
North Georgia led 52-50 after a free throw from Whitney Randolph with 3:58 left when Gardner hit her second 3-pointer of the game to put GSW up for good.
Whitley Wiltz had three of her game-high 13 rebounds in the final 3:20, including one that led to a score to go up 55-52.
The Lady Hurricanes held a 19-6 edge in second-chance points and were 14 of 15 at the free-throw line. The Lady Saints entered the game as the top free-throw team in the PBC, and they were 17-for-24.
Reynolds had an all-around game as she scored seven to go with nine rebounds, five steals and four assists.
Four players were in double figures for North Georgia (5-9, 1-5) including Janyce Ealey and Montgomery, who had 14 each. Montgomery also had eight rebounds.
Both teams shot close to 35 percent in the game, and after going 0-for-7 in the first half, GSW made 4 of 8 3-pointers in the second half.
The Lady Hurricanes have eight of their next nine games at home before finishing off on the road at Columbus State and Clayton State.
They host Columbus State on Saturday with the tip at 5:30 p.m.