AMERICUS – Georgia Southwestern women's basketball team battled from tip off to final buzzer. Peach Belt Conference opponent, North Georgia, was able to slip to far ahead to from GSW after a last half rally. North Georgia won 89-83.
Tiara Thompson led the game with a game and career high of 25 points.
GSW moved into the lead early in the second half after two jumpers from Jasmine McSwain at 16:55. The lead was brief as North Georgia pulled ahead with two field goals within the next minute. At 7:52 Shanedra Lockett started a 20-6 run on North Georgia with two made free throws. This run ended with a lone nine points from Thompson, ranging in free throws, layups, and a three pointer at 4:06. The score read 31-48, this was the Lady 'Canes largest lead of the night. North Georgia was able to bring the score in to a six point difference, GSW 50-44.
GSW made a 21-of-35 points, 60% over the first half. North Georgia on the other hand was shooting 37.8% (14-of 37).
Freshman Sierra Barrino-Kennedy made the opening bucket coming back into the half, (B-Kennedy's first night starting). It was a long fought half for the Lady 'Canes in the second half. For the first ten minutes the lead kept changing between the two schools. In the ninth minute, North Georgia started to slip away as GSW kept fouling and sending them to the line. 6-of-10 of North Georgia's successful runs down the court ended in two made free throws starting at 9:21 all the way to the final buzzer. North Georgia reached their largest lead of the night of 10 points, after a three point shot by Jordan Livesay at 5:09. GSW made a run to catch up with a three pointer by McSwain, and a jump shot and free throw by Shaniece Sheffield. The final score read North Georgia 89-83.
The lead changed a total of 16 times during the whole game. North Georgia improves to 14-2, 8-1 PBC. GSW continues to move their record onto 7-9, 2-7 PBC.
Lockett, Sheffield, and McSwain added 11 points each.
The Lady 'Canes are back in action on Saturday, January 25th at 1:30 p.m. against Columbus State in the Storm Dome.