ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. | Three Bobcats scored double figures to lift Georgia College & State University past Flagler College 71-63 in their final Peach Belt Conference regular season women's basketball matchup Saturday (Feb. 28) afternoon at the Flagler Gymnasium.
The Bobcats finished the regular season 12-16 overall and 8-12 in conference play, while the Saints finished 11-17 overall and 6-14 in the Peach Belt. GCSU earned a berth to the PBC tournament, and the pairings will be released on Sunday, Mar. 1.
The Bobcats came out on fire, setting the tone early behind a pair of three-pointers and a jumper from guard
Deshona Gaither in the opening minutes of the contest. GCSU shot 8-for-12 in the opening period and held a 22-16 lead by the end of it.
The momentum built for the Bobcats in the second quarter. Forward
Natalia Bolden scored 10 of the team's 24 points this period. Freshman
Sloane Vick also knocked down back-to-back three-pointers to help GCSU extend their lead.
The Bobcats forced multiple turnovers and turned them into quick points, holding a 46-30 lead at halftime.
Flagler responded after the break, only allowing seven points from the Bobcats and scoring 14 of their own in the third quarter, but GCSU maintained composure and answered in the fourth quarter.
Gaither opened the final period with another three-pointer to push the lead back to double digits, and she continued to deliver down the stretch. Flagler cut the deficit to seven with over three minutes remaining, but timely free throws and late baskets by freshman
Elizabeth Wynn helped secure the win.
Gaither finished with a game-high 24 points, including 4-of-5 from behind the arc, and added six steals. Bolden added 18 points, going a perfect 8-for-8 at the free throw line. Freshman
Caroline Beavin added 10 points, respectively.
About GCSU Athletics
Owning the top Academic Success Rate among all public colleges and universities in Division II for five consecutive academic years, the Georgia College Department of Athletics sponsors 11 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. GCSU Athletics has won six 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
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