ROME- It was a tough time on the road Monday night in Rome for the basketball teams from North Georgia College and State University.<br>
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Shorter College swept the visiting Saints in two close games.<br>
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The 23rd ranked (NAIA) Shorter women won in an upset, 60-57, over the fifth rated North Georgia women, while the Shorter men beat the visiting male Saints 60-58.<br>
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Gainesville alum Jasmine Benson got some bragging rights over fellow Hall Countian Courtney Hester out of North Hall in the women's game.<br>
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Benson had 15 points for Shorter (20-8, 10-3 Georgia-Alabama- Carolina Conference) in the win, while Hester also knocked in 15 for North Georgia (26-3,11-2) but in the loss. Keisha Hall led North Georgia with 21 points.<br>
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The North Georgia men (8-20, 3-13) were led by Matt Cunningham with 14 points and five rebounds, as well as Marcus Hawkins with 13 points and eight boards, and Jamar Tyler with 12 points.<br>
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The Hawks were led by Bo Abney's 16 points; Clay Stewart's 13 points and six rebounds; and 11 points and seven boards from C.W. Stewart.<br>
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Shorter has Auburn-Montogomery in Wednesday while North Georgia is at Southern Wesleyan Saturday.<br>
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Elsewhere, West Hall grad Adrian Penland had 16 points in a 72-70 loss by his Lander men, to Columbus State in Greenwood, South Carolina Monday night.<br>
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Lander is scheduled to begin playing in the Peach Belt Conference Tournament February 26th in Columbus.<br>
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