COLUMBIA, S.C. — Flowery Branch's Julianne Sutton poured in 17 points and nine rebounds to help the fifth-ranked University of North Georgia women's basketball team survive an upset bid, defeating Benedict Tuesday evening, 69-65.
North Georgia jumped out to an early 9-2 lead, but the Tigers battled back, only allowing the lead to surpass 10 points for a total of 63 seconds early in the second half. Benedict took their first and only lead of the game on the heels of a 13-1 run near the end of the third quarter, but the Nighthawks answered with a 13-5 run to retake the lead.
The Tigers mounted one last push in the fourth period, cutting the lead to four late, but UNG held on to remain unbeaten.
Lacie McCoy scored 15 off the bench, while Josie Earnhardt and North Forsyth's Caroline Martin contributed 14 and 11, respectively.
Benedict was an impressive 16 of 24 from the foul line, while UNG shot 50 percent from the stripe, hitting 5 of 10 attempts.
NEXT UP
North Georgia will return home to host the UNG Nighthawk Classic this weekend. UNG will first take on Delta State in the first game of the classic Friday at 2 p.m.
