MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. – After trailing by as many as nine in the second half, the No. 21 University of North Georgia women’s basketball team mounted a furious comeback to force overtime, but ultimately fell to Georgia College, 84-82, Saturday afternoon at GC’s Centennial Center.

The Nighthawks led by 12 at the half, but a third quarter that saw the Bobcats shoot over 70 percent gave the home team the lead that they held for nearly the entire fourth quarter. Three pointers by Abbie Franklin and Vanessa Agrusa in the final 30 seconds of regulation forced the extra period.

In overtime, Georgia College hit the first two baskets to take a four-point lead, but UNG didn’t go quietly, cutting the lead to as few as one with 27 seconds left. The Nighthawks had a chance to tie after the Bobcats went 1-for-2 at the line on their possession, but a missed shot gave the Bobcats more free throws, giving them a big enough lead to overcome a Franklin three-pointer as time expired.

NOTES
– Franklin and Agrusa led five Nighthawks in double figures, netting 18 points each. All six of Franklin’s made field goals were from beyond the arc. Deana Blankinship recorded her second straight double-double and fifth of the season with a 12 point, 14 rebound night.

– GC’s Alyah McGriff and Shay Tarver shared game-high honors with 22 points each. Tarver also had 10 assists for a double-double.

– The Nighthawks outrebounded Georgia College, 46-44, including 18-11 on the offensive glass.

NEXT UP
The Nighthawks still have a one-game lead over Lander for the top spot in the Peach Belt Conference. The two teams will play Wednesday night in Greenwood, South Carolina, at 5:30 p.m.