Good Shooting, Great Defense Pushed GSW Over YHC

Good Shooting, Great Defense Pushed GSW Over YHC

AMERICUS, Ga. -- Three Georgia Southwestern women's basketball players finished in double-digit scoring as they rallied through six lead changes for a 67-52 midweek Peach Belt Conference win over Young Harris inside the Storm Dome. 

The Lady Hurricanes defense forced 25 turnovers, including 15 steals while scoring 22 points off turnovers. GSW shot their best this year, 48.3 percent, from the field tonight, draining 29-of-60. 

How It Happened: Daelyn Craig put the first points on the board for GSW to start the game on top. YHC followed up with a three on their first possession but Lex Chatman responded back with a three as well, 5-3. The Mountain Lions followed with back-to-back three's followed by a layup to take the lead. Back-to-back layup's by K'Shouri Hodge closed the gap to two points but YHC pulled another three from deep to take a 14-9 lead with 4:30 remaining in the opening quarter. After going scoreless for two minutes, Chatman drained a three then stole the ball for a fast break layup to tie the game. A last second layup by YHC gave them a 16-14 edge to end the first. 

After scoring to start the second quarter, Chatman converted the three-point play as GSW (6-4, 4-3 PBC) took a 19-18 lead with 7 minutes remaining in the half. The Lady Hurricanes intended to run away with the lead but YHC (3-5, 3-5 PBC) drained another three from deep, tieing the game at 23 midway through. Coming out a timeout, the Mountain Lions took the lead but the Lady Hurricanes took it back, going into halftime up 29-28. 

GSW opened the second half with a 6-0 run before YHC was able to get on the board. A 9-2 run by YHC tied the game at 37 but Craig was found wide open, as she drained her sole three of the night for the 40-37 lead with 4:03 left in the third. Craig's three heated up an 11-4 run going into the final ten minutes as GSW led by 10, 51-41. 

The Lady Hurricanes controlled the rest of the game, opening the fourth with an 11-2 run to extend their lead as the Mountain Lions called a timeout to regather. GSW took a 22-point lead, 65-43 midway through the fourth but a short run by YHC closed the gap as GSW picked up the 67-52 PBC win. 

Both teams didn't get many chances from the line tonight as YHC led, shooting 85.7 percent (6-7) while GSW shot 80 percent (4-5). Both teams finished shooting 21 three's but YHC drained three more than GSW, finishing 38.1 percent while GSW shot 23.8 percent. The Lady Hurricanes also took the 36-34 rebound battle as both teams finished with 13 assists. 

Who Stood Out: Chatman finished with a team-high 23 points, with seven rebounds, four assists and five steals. Craig finished with 18 points while Jaleah Storr added 14 points, six rebounds and four blocks. Kayla Grant pulled down 11 rebounds. 

Mackenzie Johnson led YHC from the bench with 14 points and nine rebounds. Lindsey Caudell drained four threes and ended with 12 points while Carly Winters finished with 11 points and five rebounds. 

Up Next: The Lady Hurricanes will hit the road to play Georgia College on Saturday, Feb. 13. Tipoff is at 1:30 p.m.