Box Score By Sam Jones, Sports Information Student Assistant
DAHLONEGA, Ga. - The Georgia College women's basketball team (16-9, 8-8 PBC) fell short against the University of North Georgia (16-9, 8-8 PBC) this afternoon, losing 79-72 despite a career high 15 points for Lindsey Reed (Stockbridge), as well as double-digit scoring efforts from Kadesha Gibbs (Claremont, North Carolina) and LaRice Walker (Franklin).
The Bobcats trailed for over 29 minutes of game time, keeping pace with the Nighthawks but failing to control the game. The Bobcats shot better than 50 percent from the floor, but a 14-of-15 effort from the line for North Georgia spelled doom for coach Maurice Smith's squad. The Bobcats were 3-0 this season with shooting over 50 percent from the field.
Georgia College trailed by two at halftime, entering the break down 35-33. A Reed jumper put the Bobcats up 43-42 with 5:46 remaining in the third quarter, but it would be the last Georgia College would hold the lead. A quick Nighthawk bucket put the Bobcats in the rearview mirror for the rest of the game. Georgia College brought the game within three with under a minute remaining, but missed shots combined with a few late North Georgia free throws put the final nail in the Bobcat coffin.
Despite the loss, three Bobcats in particular had outstanding games.
Reed was a major bright spot for the Bobcats with a lights-out effort from the field, finishing with 15 points on 7-of-12 shooting and knocking down a three on her way to her best scoring performance as a Bobcat. The junior also added a pair of rebounds and assists.
Gibbs filled the Bobcat stat sheet, finishing with a team-high 19 points, a team-high seven rebounds and a team-high five assists. The senior forward shot 8-of-15 from the floor, including 2-of-2 from the behind the arc.
Walker broke out with a stellar first half. The junior guard headed in to the locker room with 12 points and four rebounds. Walker ended the afternoon with 18 points on 5-of-10 shooting, five rebounds and two assists. The 18 point showing marks the 16th time this year that Walker has put up double-digit scoring totals.
On the North Georgia side, an extremely impressive 31-point, 11-rebound afternoon from Kelsey Hutchins powered the Nighthawks.
With the loss, the Bobcats move to 16-9 overall and 8-8 in PBC play. The Bobcats and Nighthawks are now tied for third in the west division of the PBC standings with three games remaining. With a win or a Georgia Southwestern State University loss in any of the remaining games, the Bobcats will clinch a spot in the PBC Tournament. The next contest for the Bobcats is in Milledgeville Wednesday, Feb. 17 at 5:30 p.m. against Clayton State University as the Lakers come to the Centennial Center on Senior Day.
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
