AMERICUS, Ga. -- The Georgia Southwestern women's basketball team opened up 2020 with a tough, 64-52, loss to Lander in a Peach Belt Conference game inside the Storm Dome Saturday afternoon. 

The Lady Hurricanes held the lead for the opening six minutes of the game but once the Bearcats caught up, they never relinquished it back. 

How It Happened: A three by Dominique Jeffery gave GSW a five point lead, 7-2, with 7:43 left in the first quarter as that was their biggest lead of the game. Lander then went on a 14-0 scoring run after draining back-to-back three's to take a 16-9 lead. The Bearcats were able to close the quarter with with a nine-point lead, 21-12. 

It was a slow second quarter for both teams but a late rally let GSW get down to one possession, 24-21, midway through the first half. A layup by Madison Johnson followed by a free throw by Tamecia Blue made it a close game as Lander only leading by three. Bearcats Quin'De'Ja Hamilton drained a three to extend the lead as they took a 31-24 lead going into halftime. 

Lander (8-3, 3-0 PBC) used the second half to extend their lead as GSW (4-5, 0-3 PBC) failed to recover. GSW gave up a season-high 26 turnovers as the Bearcats returned the favor, scoring 25 points off turnovers throughout the game. Both teams finished the game with 32 points in the paint and 22 bench points. 

GSW led with shooting 42.6 percent from the field as the Lander only shot 35.6 percent. However, Lander won from the free throw line, draining 18-of-25 as they shot 72 percent from the line compared to GSW, who shot 44.4 percent. 

Who Stood Out: Johnson led the Lady Hurricanes with 13 points and six rebounds followed by Jamesha Samuel, who finished wit nine points. Kya Cochran was perfect from behind the arc draining two threes. 

Lander was led by Tabitha Dailey, who finished with 18 points and eight rebounds followed by Zamiya Passmore, who had 12 points and four steals. 

Up Next: The Lady Hurricanes will invite North Georgia to the Storm Dome in a midweek game on Wednesday, Jan. 8 for a 5:30 p.m. start.