DAHLONEGA — Kelsey Hutchins scored 25 points off the bench to lead the University of North Georgia women's basketball team to a 59-56 come-from-behind Peach Belt Conference women's basketball victory over its Young Harris College Monday evening in UNG's Memorial Hall.
The Nighthawks improved to 11-2 overall and to 3-1 in the Peach Belt while the Mountain Lions fell to 7-4 and 2-2 league play.
North Georgia, which was held to just one field goal in the first quarter, got as close as five points (24-19) on a Hutchins layup with 1:28 left in the first half.
Trailing 30-19 just 90 seconds into the third quarter, the Nighthawks used a 15-2 run to grab their first lead of the game (34-32) with 2:57 remaining. From that point there were seven lead changes and eight ties.
North Georgia took its largest lead -- 47-42 -- on a Jordan Livesay three-pointer with 7:03 remaining in the contest. However, the Mountain Lions scored the game's next six points to retake the lead at 48-47 when Sarah Garner hit two three throws with 4:54 to play.
Molly Rainwater added 10 points for North Georgia while Cierra Jackson added 12 rebounds and nine points. Jackson missed a double-double by a single point with a team-best 12 rebounds.
Young Harris held a 43-32 edge on the glass but did not make a 3-point shot, missing on all four attempts in the game.
Meredith Tarver led Young Harris with 14 points while Jasmine Knight finished with a double-double (12 points and a career-high 12 rebounds).
The Battle of Blood Mountain contest marked the 11th meeting between the two programs with UNG now holding a 7-4 all-time advantage.
North Georgia continues its four-game home stand by hosting Augusta University at 5:30 p.m. Thursday in Memorial Hall.
