COLUMBUS, Ga. | The Georgia College & State University women's basketball team defeated the University of North Georgia 65-54 in the Peach Belt Conference Tournament semifinals Saturday (March 7) evening at the Lumpkin Center on the campus of the season.
The seventh-seeded Bobcats improved to 14-16 overall, while the third-seeded Nighthawks fell to 19-13 and now wait until Sunday (March 8) evening to see if they will earn an at-large berth to the NCAA Division II Tournament. GCSU will face Augusta University in the PBC Tournament championship game Sunday (March 8) at 3 p.m. This will be the first championship appearance for the Bobcats since 2015. The winner of the championship game will earn the league's automatic berth into the NCAA Division II Tournament.
After North Georgia gained an early advantage to take an 18-13 lead after the opening quarter, the Bobcats settled in and started to control the tempo. GCSU limited the Nighthawks' scoring in the second quarter, outscoring them 13-8 to tie the game at 26 at the break.
The Bobcats completely took over in the third quarter. GCSU shot 11-for-13 from the field and outscored North Georgia 29-10 in this period. Guards
Deshona Gaither and
Nylah Nuri combined for 18 of the Bobcats' 29 points.
Forward
Natalia Bolden controlled the boards and gave GCSU some key second-chance points to help the Bobcats extend the lead.
With the advantage stretched to 19 heading into the final period, GCSU never let up despite a late North Georgia push. The Bobcats answered with some large stops and free throws down the stretch to secure the semifinal win.
Gaither and Nuri led the Bobcats with 18 points apiece, and Bolden added 13 points and 11 rebounds.
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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