COLUMBUS, Ga. | The Georgia College & State University women's basketball team came up short against Augusta University, falling 61-56 in the Peach Belt Conference Tournament Championship Sunday (March 8) afternoon at the Lumpkin Center.
The fourth-seeded Jaguars improved to 21-9 overall and earned the conference's automatic berth to the NCAA Division II Tournament, while the No. 7 seed Bobcats closed their season at 14-17.
Augusta set the tone early, opening the game on a strong run to build an 11-point advantage by the end of the first quarter. The Jaguars controlled the pace throughout the first half while the Bobcats struggled to find their rhythm offensively, and Augusta extended its lead to 14 by halftime.
GCSU regrouped after the break and began to close the scoring gap behind improved perimeter shooting and more aggressive defense.
Caroline Beavin knocked down a three pointer for the Bobcats' first points of the third quarter, while
Natalia Bolden rebounded and scored timely baskets to fuel to the comeback. GCSU trimmed the deficit to eight after three quarters.
The Bobcats' rally peaked halfway through the final period.
Elizabeth Wynn converted a fast-break layup off an assist from Beavin to tie the game at 51, with the momentum in favor of the Bobcats. A minute later,
Sloane Vick knocked down a clutch three pointer to give GCSU its first lead of the game, finishing a strong comeback after trailing by as many as 18 in the third quarter.
Augusta responded with key plays in the paint and regained the lead during a tense final stretch. The Bobcats created some late opportunities, but shots would not fall in the final minute as the Jaguars secured the championship at the free-throw line.
Bolden led GCSU with 16 points and five rebounds, making her presence felt on both ends of the floor. Beavin added 15 points, knocking down three shots from beyond the perimeter, while Vick contributed nine points, including two critical second half triples. Wynn led all players with nine rebounds while adding six points.
Bolden,
Deshona Gaither, and Beavin each earned All-Tournament Team honors.
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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