January 4, 2010

Box Score

DAHLONEGA, GA – The North Georgia women’s basketball team got off on the right foot to start conference play, jumping out to a 14-point half time lead before holding for a 71-64 overtime victory over Augusta State University Monday evening in Peach Belt Conference action.

North Georgia improves to 5-4 overall on the season and move to 1-0 on the year in Peach Belt Conference play. Augusta State’s struggles continue, falling to 1-11 overall and 3-0 in the league.

In regulation, North Georgia had the final chance, holding the ball until the final seconds with score tied 60-60, but a running layup from Meredith Montgomery came up short, sending both teams into their first overtime game of the season.

In overtime, the Lady Saints jumped on top quickly and never looked back, leading by as many as seven points at two different points, a margin that turned out to be the final score at 71-64.  

With North Georgia leading by a pair midway through the first half, the Lady Saints pulled away with an 11-2 run, capped by layup from Alyssa Stokes to give Burson’s squad a 21-10 lead with 7:40 remaining until intermission.

The Lady Saints led by double digits the final three minutes of the opening half before taking a 14-point advantage into halftime, their largest lead of the first period.

Janyce Ealey led all scorers with 19 points, while adding a game-high 10 rebounds for a double-double. Montgomery and Sarah Stinson rounded the North Georgia players in double figures, adding 12 points apiece.

Briyana Evans finished with 18 points on 8-11 shooting from the charity stripe to lead Augusta State, while Stacey Lampkin added 13 points and came up a rebound shy of a double-double.

The Lady Saints return to action on Thursday evening, hosting Truett-McConnell College in Memorial Hall with tip-off set for 5:30 p.m. for the in-state rivals.