by Molly Johnson, sports information assistant

DAHLONEGA, Ga. – The Georgia College women's basketball squad (1-2) pounced on Tuskegee University (0-2) Friday in the opening game of the Nighthawk Classic hosted by the University of North Georgia, 91-65. Senior Shanteona Keys (Roswell) now owns NCAA-era scoring record for Georgia College.

"I thought that Tuskegee did a great job playing with energy early on," said head coach Maurice Smith. "They were athletic, with good size, which gave us problems inside and with rebounding. We did a much better job in the second half with our interior defense and rebounding."

Keys had another stellar performance in her final year as a Bobcat with 22 points, four rebounds, one assist, and one steal. Keys' strong outing today gives her a total of 1,353 points in her career, passing Betsy Foy (1999-02) for the all-time NCAA record at Georgia College. She now moves into the third spot on the overall all-time list at GC. Her early offense surge this season puts her 161 points away from tying for second with Georgia College alum Lisa Havior (1986-90).

Starting point guard LaRice Walker (Franklin) has continued to lead the Bobcats with her ability to crash the boards. She tied for the most rebounds, snagging five, with senior Enisha Donley (Loganville). Walker also ended the game as the second-leading scorer with 15 points. Having a breakout performance was freshman Alexia Manning (Columbus), adding 12 points to the Bobcats' cause.

Although being out-rebounded 31-to-39, the Bobcats were on fire on offense, shooting .569 from the field to the Tigerettes' .412. Georgia College went on a staggering 19-0 run with 10:45 left in the second half that lasted until a Tigerettes' layup with 5:48 on the clock. The Bobcats could not be contained as they drained 24 out of 29 shots from the charity stripe and made good on 31 points from Tuskegee's turnovers.

The Bobcats will close out the Nighthawk Classic tomorrow, Nov. 22 against Stillman College at 2 p.m.

The Georgia College Department of Athletics, two-time winners of the PBC Commissioner's Cup, sponsors 11 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. As a Division II program, Bobcat Athletics prides itself on balancing the life of the student-athlete, evidenced by the teams' multiple appearances in post-season competition as well as documented academic success and community-service involvement. Sign up at @GCBobcats on Twitter and Facebook for up-to-the-minute reports, and visit GCBobcats.PhotoReflect.com to purchase photo prints from home athletic contests.