AMERICUS, GA -- The top-seeded Georgia Southwestern State University Hurricanes advanced to the semifinals of the 2023 Peach Belt Conference women's basketball tournament on Wednesday with a 67-55 win over Georgia College & State University. With that win, GSW moves on into the tournament semifinals on Thursday; GSW is hosting the event for the first time program history.

Ava Jones led all players with 20 points, adding five assists and four steals. Kayla Langley added 15 with a team-high nine rebounds. Jacquelyn Levay added 10 points and four steals.

Harper Vick led the Bobcats with 15 points, hitting 4-for-7 from the field, 2-for-2 from three-point range and 5-for-5 from the free throw line. Ashyia Willis added 11 points while Jada Warren had a game-high 13 rebounds to go with a pair of blocks.

GCSU turned up the defensive pressure to start the game, limiting the Hurricanes to 27% shooting from the field while hitting 50% of their own three-pointers. GSW held a 13-10 lead after the opening quarter, but the Bobcats came right back, tying the game at 15 on a Cassidy Markle three-pointer and taking an 18-17 lead on a Vick three.

GCSU built the lead to 24-21 on a Vick jumper, but GSW responded with a 7-2 run to end the half with a 28-26 lead.

The Hurricanes found their offensive footing to begin the third quarter, shooting 43% over the 10 minutes and opening the period with a 6-1 run. GCSU would cut that lead down to six twice over the next few minutes, but a Jaleah Storr three-pointer gave GSW a 40-31 lead with 2:34 to go and the Hurricanes led 44-35 after three.

The lead grew to as many as 14 in the fourth quarter as GSW was able to keep the Bobcats at bay.

GSW will face either #4-seed North Georgia on Thursday at 7:30 pm in the Storm Dome.

Article Provided by the Peach Belt Conference