MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. | Ashyia Willis and Hannah Cail combined for 31 points, but it wasn't enough as Limestone University held off Georgia College & State University 79-73 in a non-conference women's basketball game Saturday (Dec. 21) afternoon inside the Centennial Center.
The Bobcats fell to 7-4, while the Saints rose to 5-7. GCSU will break for the holidays and resume Peach Belt Conference action Jan. 4 against the University of South Carolina-Aiken with 1:30 p.m. contest in Graniteville, South Carolina.
The Bobcats fell behind quickly to begin the afternoon matinee, being down as much as 11 points (13-2) at the halfway mark of the quarter when Saints' Aniyah Jones made a three-pointer. Georgia College fought back as Rose Bone and Willis connected on back-to-back three-points to put the Bobcats out in front for the first time at 31-29 with 3:15 remaining before halftime.
The Bobcats started the third quarter slowly, falling behind by nine points (48-39) with 6:33 left. However, a nicely put-together 12-2 run, capped off by a Cail three-pointer, assisted by Willis, gave GCSU its lead back at 51-50 with 2:24 to play.
Limestone took the lead for good as a layup by Amara Newsom gave the Saints the lead for good at 53-52 with 64 seconds left in the third quarter. The Saints extended their lead out to as many as eight points (66-58) after Megan Watson sank a three-pointer with 4:36 to play. GCSU could get no closer than three points the remainder of the way.
Willis led the Bobcats with 16 points and eight assists, while finished with 15. Evie DePetro added nine points, while Deshona Gaither tossed in eight points and six rebounds. Jada Warren led GCSU with 18 rebounds, including eight on the offensive end, and tallied six points.
About GCSU Athletics
Owning the top Academic Success Rate among all public colleges and universities in Division II for four consecutive academic years, the Georgia College Department of Athletics sponsors 11 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. GCSU Athletics has won five consecutive Presidents' Awards for Academic Excellence, and are two-time winners of the PBC Commissioner's Cup and four-time winners of the PBC Institution of the Year Sportsmanship Award. As a Division II program, Bobcat Athletics prides itself on balancing the life of the student-athlete, evidenced by the teams' continued appearances in postseason competition as well as high-level academic success and community-service involvement. Bobcat Athletics embodies the mantra of "Graduating Champions for Life." Sign up at @GCSUBobcats on all social media outlets for up-to-the-minute reports or subscribe to the GSCU Athletics e-newsletter to receive the latest news, schedule updates and to interact with GCSU Athletics.
