by Andrew Rochefort, sports information student

YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – The Georgia College Women's Basketball team (5-18, 2-13 PBC) battled through a close contest Wednesday night against Young Harris (14-9, 8-7 PBC), but ultimately fell short, losing 61-52.

The Bobcats got off to a hot start, leading 9-2 with 5:55 to go in the first after a Keyonna Wesley (Pearson) basket and made free throw. The Mountain Lions responded with a 7-0 over the next minute and a half, tying the game at nine before leading at the end of the first quarter, 16-14.

Never trailing by double-digits, the Bobcats stayed within arm's reach throughout the game, cutting the Mountain Lion lead to one possession, 42-40, after a contested Harper Vick (Marietta) layup went down with 7:08 to go in the fourth quarter. Young Harris once again responded with a 7-0 run, taking a 49-40 lead with 2:48 to go and holding onto that lead until the final whistle.

Vick led the Bobcats in scoring, netting 19 points along with five rebounds and two assists. Freshman Caroline Wysocki (Flowery Branch) was also in double figures with 10 points and adding four rebounds.

Young Harris took advantage of second chance points, outscoring the Bobcats 11-2 in that area.

The loss puts GC at 2-13 in Peach Belt Conference (PBC) play, tied for 11th in the league standings with just five games left in the regular season.

The Bobcats will stay on the road for their next contest, Saturday, Feb. 15 at 3 p.m., traveling to Georgia Southwestern State University. GC lost to the Hurricanes 59-40 at home earlier this season. 

The Georgia College Department of Athletics, two-time winners of the PBC Commissioner's Cup and the 2017 PBC Sportsmanship Institution of the Year, 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.