DAHLONEGA — Kelsey Hutchins came off the bench to deposit a game-high 24 points as the University of North Georgia women's basketball team opened up Peach Belt Conference play with a 70-55 win over Flagler on Thursday evening in UNG's Memorial Hall. Cierra Jackson added her fifth double-double of the season with 12 points and a season-high 17 rebounds.
North Georgia improves to 8-1, 1-0 PBC while Flagler slides to 4-3 and 0-1 in league play.
The Nighthawks held Flagler scoreless over the final 5:06 of the second quarter to take a 28-23 lead into intermission.
Hutchins made 11-of-19 shots from the floor, both marking season highs for the junior from Lawrenceville.
Jordan Livesay eight points and eight rebounds while Julie McKie pitched in with 10 points.
The Nighthawk defense, ranked seventh nationally in field goal percentage defense, limited the Saints to just 30% from the floor (20-of-65).
Allie Mano and DeAsha Campbell were the only FC players to reach double figures in scoring with 15 and 12 respectively.
The Nighthawks had a season-high 18 turnovers, but Flagler was able to only covert 19 points off those extra possessions.
The game marked the 16th meeting between the two schools with North Georgia having come out victorious in all 16 contests.
North Georgia made just 2-of-9 shots from behind the 3-point line, both season lows.
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