DAHLONEGA -- The North Georgia women's basketball team battled and pulled away in the final minute to take down Francis Marion (6-12, 3-6 Peach Belt), 76-71, Monday afternoon at Memorial Hall. The win advances UNG to 14-4 and 6-3 in conference play.<br />
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"It was hard until the very last minute," UNG head coach Buffie Burson said. "We didn't make it easy on ourselves but Francis Marion played a really good game."<br />
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Neither team could make a long run in the game, with the score remaining within two possessions until the 7:45 mark in the second half when North Georgia took a seven point lead, 57-50, on a Kelsey Hutchins three-pointer.<br />
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The Patriots pulled within a bucket in the final minute on Cy'erra Mills fast break layup, making the score 73-71, however Francis Marion would not score in the final 44 seconds as North Georgia took the victory.<br />
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Stephanie Huffman led the game in scoring with 29 points, while Hutchins posted her fifth double-double of the season putting up 18 points and pulling down 13 rebounds.<br />
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The Nighthawks finally receive a breather before heading back into PBC action on Saturday, when UNG hosts Clayton State. Tipoff for the women's game is set for 1:30 p.m., and will feature a ceremony dedicating the Memorial Hall court in honor of North Georgia Hall of Fame coach Bill Ensley.
