AMERICUS, Ga.– The Georgia Southwestern State University women's basketball team punched its ticket to the Peach Belt Conference Tournament finals for the first time in program history with a convincing 72-55 win over the University of North Georgia on Thursday night in the Storm Dome.

Ava Jones led the way with 29 points. The senior guard from Carencro, La., put the Hurricanes on her back in the second half and took control of a game that was only in favor of GSW by two points at the break, 31-29. Jones scored 16 points in the third quarter and added eight in the fourth, with six points coming from the free throw line, to seal the win. She shot 53 percent from the field for the game, grabbed four rebounds and added four steals. Jones was one of two Hurricanes players to score in double figures.

Jacquelyn Levay was clutch down the stretch as she scored nine of her 16 points in the fourth quarter and finished with four rebounds.

The Hurricanes final test will be against sixth-seeded Young Harris College in the championship game of the PBC Tournament. Young Harris knocked off USC Aiken in the first round and upset the No. 2 seed Clayton State in the first semifinal game on Thursday.

 Inside the Storm

• GSW held the lead for 53 percent of the game
• North Georgia's last lead was 26-25 with 2:33 left in the second quarter
• The Hurricanes largest lead was 18 points, 68-50
• GSW held UNG to 25 percent shooting in both the second and fourth quarters
• North Georgia had won the last two PBC Tournament championships
• Jones has scored 20 points or more in three consecutive games and five of her last seven

Next Up

GSW will meet Young Harris College in the PBC championship game on Saturday at 1 p.m. in the Storm Dome.