Lady Saints Force OT, but Come up Short 88-85
PEMBROKE, NC
– Playing in their third overtime game of the year, the North
Georgia women’s basketball team could not pull off their
third straight extra-period victory as UNC Pembroke closed the game
on a 5-0 run for an 88-85 win over the Lady Saints in Peach Belt
Conference action.
Going into overtime with 71 points apiece, a back-and-forth affair
between the Lady Saints and Lady Braves would keep the contest all
tied up and anyone’s for the taking at the 00:50 mark, 83-83.
The last moments of overtime saw a jumper from North
Georgia’s Randolph before UNCP’s Hunt drained a trey to
take the lead by one and a crucial steal by DeDe Cotten as she was
fouled put her at the charity stripe where she put away two buckets
for the three point cushion and final score, 88-85.
The Lady Braves opened the second half by extending their two
point lead to 10 on a 12-4 run during the first five minutes,
44-34. The Black and Gold could not command the games’
momentum however, and it was North Georgia who exploded down the
stretch on a 12-5 run that was capped off by a Montgomery trey at
the 00:02 mark to send the game into overtime.
UNCP found the first five points of the game from a JaToya Kemp
layup and Cotten trey and led by as much as six, 8-2, in the first
three minutes. Despite taking the first points, the Black and Gold
trailed North Georgia for the majority of the first half, down by
as much as five on two occasions before tying it up at the 2:29
mark 28-28. The Lady Braves were able to pull it together going
into halftime with points from Knower and Chevoya Jackson to take
the lead once more, 32-30.
North Georgia (9-15, 4-11) was led by Janyce Ealey who registered
25 points and nine rebounds. Three other Lady Saints picked up
double digits, Whitney Randolph, who posted a double-double with 23
points and 10 rebounds, Meredith Montgomery who found 15 points and
Sarah Stinson with 11 points.
UNCP (13-12, 7-9 PBC) saw forward Briana Stanton at the helm,
exploding for a game and career-high 30 points, as the junior also
picked up four rebounds, three assists and four steals. Also
registering career-bests were Illya Hunt with 15 points and Anya
Knower with nine.
North Georgia returns to action on Wednesday evening, playing host
to 15th-ranked Clayton State in another Peach Belt Conference
battle. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. in Memorial Hall.