AMERICUS - The Georgia Southwestern women's basketball team lost Saturday afternoon, 80-70, to Lander University in Peach Belt Conference action in the Storm Dome.

The Lady 'Canes started out with an eight point lead after they sunk two 3-pointers from Ja'Quasha Sesler and Yvonna Dunkley who followed up with a layup.

Lander caught up and were within two points of the lead twice in the first quarter. Kris Beckham put in a 3-pointer to take a five point lead. Lander made two free throws to close the gap and Khayla Owens made a basket for GSW to take back the five point lead.

Lander made back to back layups to come within one point and Emili Russ put in a basket with one second remaining to leave the first quarter up 21-18.

Sesler made the first basket in the second followed by Kenyona Armstrong with a 3-pointer and then another 3-pointer from Sesler and two free throws from Dunkley to lead by 13 with 7:08 left in the second.

With 3:04 remaining in the second GSW was up by 14 after Va'Queshia Hall put in two free throws. Lander came back with two free throws, two layups and a jump shot but couldn't close the gap enough and trailed 42-36 at the half.

Armstrong started the third quarter with a 3-pointer followed by Selser with two free throws to lead by 11.

Lander put in a 3-pointer and jump shot to trail by five with 2:08 left in the third. Aleah Holden made two free throws to give GSW a seven point lead but Lander sunk a 3-pointer, two free throws and and a layup to tie the game 55-55 with 48 seconds remaining in the third.

Russ made a jump shot with 39 seconds to go and Lander came back with a basket at one second to tie the game 57-57 heading into the fourth.

Lander kept their scoring streak up in the fourth. The Bearcats made a layup followed by a free throw and a 3-pointer to take a six point lead.

Owens made a layup and Young put in two free throws to cut the lead to one but Lander put in another 3-pointer and a layup.

With 5:40 to go Dunkley made a 3-pointer and a layup after a steal to come within three.

With two minutes remaining Sesler made a free throw and Hall made a jump shot after a steal to trail by two.

Lander (8-3, 2-1 PBC) went on another streak starting with a layup and then made six free throws after GSW fouled three times and finished the game winning 80-70.

Sesler led GSW (6-3, 0-2 PBC) with 17 points and eight rebounds. Dunkley had 12 points and six rebounds.

GSW outrebounded Lander, 54-42.

The Lady 'Canes are on the road January 2, to play Montevallo at 2:30 p.m.