AMERICUS, Ga. -- Georgia Southwestern State University shot 61 percent from the field as they cruised to their first-ever PBC Women's Basketball Tournament title on their home floor Saturday. The Hurricanes defeated Young Harris College 83-64 to earn the PBC's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. GSW moves on with a 24-6 overall record while Young Harris' season comes to a close with a 15-14 record.

Tournament Most Valuable Player Ava Jones scored 27 points on 12-for-20 shooting to go with a team-high eight rebounds, six assists, three steals and two blocks. Jacquelyn Levay added 27 of her own for GSW, hitting 6 of 7 three-point attempts.

Young Harris' Mackenzie Johnson, the PBC Player of the Year, was the only Mountain Lion to reach double-figures in scoring with 32 points off 14-for-24 shooting and eight rebounds. Kalen Surles scored nine points with eight rebounds.

GSW opened the game with a 9-2 run as Jones established herself early as the driving force behind the Hurricane offense with six points in the first quarter as GSW led 13-8. YHC answered behind Johnson, who after a slow start hit back-to-back jumpers to tie the score at 15 in the second quarter.

The game was tied at 17 when GSW went on a 10-2 run sparked by a Jones layup followed by a Jaleah Storr 3-point play. Johnson scored three straight baskets to keep YHC within reaching distance, but GSW led at the half 35-27.

Georgia Southwestern built their first double-digit lead early in the third quarter after YHC opened the second half with five straight points from Kalen Surles to cut the lead to 35-32. GSW answered with 16 straight points over the next four minutes to lead 51-32. A Jacquelyn Levay three-pointer gave the 'Canes their first 20-point margin, which they maintained for the rest of the third quarter for a 61-41 lead.

YHC was able to cut the lead down to 15 in the fourth quarter, but GSW was able to put the game out of reach for good with eight unanswered points, capped by a Levay three.

Georgia Southwestern will learn their NCAA posts-season matchup as the NCAA releases the national bracket on Sunday at 10:30 p.m. with a live show on NCAA.com.

All-Tournament Team
Audrey McElhaney, Clayton State
Caroline Martin, North Georgia
Kalen Surles, Young Harris
Mackenzie Johnson, Young Harris
Jacquelyn Levay, Georgia Southwestern

Most Valuable Player
Ava Jones, Georgia Southwestern

Story provided by the Peach Belt Conference