>>>PURCHASE PHOTO PRINTS

By: Michael Hokanson, Sports Information Assistant

MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. – The Georgia College women's basketball team (13-4, 5-3 PBC) faced their third conference loss on Saturday after a slow start against Armstrong State University (10-7, 2-6 PBC), dropping the game 58-47 in the Centennial Center.

The game began with Georgia College in a big hole with just two points on the board by the end of the first period thanks to a jumper by Kadesha Gibbs (Claremont, North Carolina) with less than two minutes on the clock. The Pirates held a 13 point lead at the start of the second quarter, but the Bobcats rallied and worked hard to minimize that gap. Ellie Fruit (Henderson, Kentucky) saw a pair of three-point shots off the bench that period, contributing to cutting the Pirates' lead to four by halftime.

A jump shot from Lindsey Reed (Stockbridge) continued the Bobcat effort to challenge the Pirates dominance on the court. However, it wasn't until the final quarter of the contest when Georgia College would finally overtake Armstrong. Gibbs put the Bobcats on top for the first time with a layup within the first few moments, and the lead bounced between teams. The Bobcats kept up the battle, but victory was seized by the Pirates, who finished the game at the free-throw line.

Gibbs continued her performance as the Bobcat top scorer, finishing the game with a total of 16 points. She also led the team in rebounds with a game-high of 15, earning the senior forward her fifth double-double of the year. LaRice Walker (Franklin) joined Gibbs in achieving double digits in points, racking up 10 during her 35 minutes on the court.

The Pirates put on a strong show throughout the contest. Brigitta Barta was the game-high scorer with a total of 17, but was followed closely by teammate Shermika Harris who recorded 15.

The Bobcats will be back in action Monday, Jan. 18, when they take on the Flagler College Saints at their home turf in St. Augustine, Fla., with tip off scheduled for 1:30 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 social media for up-to-the-minute reports, and visit GCBobcats.PhotoReflect.com to purchase photo prints from home athletic contests.