For the Lady Saints (22-4, 18-1), it was the closest they could get to an NCAA tournament game this season due to the University’s provisional status. It was also senior night for the North Georgia seniors and their final game on their home floor. For the Lakers (22-4, 16-3), it was an opportunity to avenge a 79-65 loss at home to North Georgia earlier in the season. For the PBC and the NCAA, it was one of the best games this season.

The Lady Saints hit their shots and defended the goal to go up 29-16 in the first half. With the 13 point lead, North Georgia looked to run away with the game, but the Lakers made a 12-3 run in the final six minutes to cut the Lady Saints lead to 31-28 heading into halftime.

Sophomore guard Megan Huffman nailed a three to open the second half as North Georgia took what would be its largest lead of the half. CU quickly fought back and tied the score 34-34 off of a lay-up from senior forward Cynthia Conseil. The Lady Saints were able get the lead back for the next six minutes but a three from junior guard Teri Willis at the 12:16 mark to put the Lakers up 47-46. The two teams jockeyed for position and changed leads eight times before a fast-break lay-up from senior guard Katie Williamson gave North Georgia a 63-60 lead. In the final minute, CU was able to take a 66-63 lead with 54 seconds remaining. The Lady Saints took the ball down court and a drive and dish from Huffman gave Williamson an open look as she buried the three and forced overtime.

The two teams slugged it out in the overtime period with North Georgia dealing the first blow with Williamson’s fourth three of the game. The Lakers came right back with a jumper from junior forward Crystal Brown to go up 70-69 with 3:24 remaining in the game. The lead changed hands a total of seven times in the five minute overtime and the Lady Saints looked poised to win the ball game after freshman forward Syretha Marble dropped in a lay-up with 56 seconds to go to put North Georgia up 75-74. CU’s senior forward Shelcey Harp took a jumper to win the game and missed with 38 seconds left, but a heads up rebound by junior forward Crystal Brown gave the Lakers a second chance. Harp took advantage and put in a lay-up with five seconds remaining to give CU the win.

Williamson put on a show for the home crowd in her final game of her career with a season high 24 points off of 7-for-16 shooting and a perfect 6-for-6 from the charity stripe. Senior post Jeanine Dorminey scored a double-double with 15 points and a game high 16 rebounds. Marble added 18 points with nine rebounds as well in the effort.

Brown led CU with 19 points followed by Harp who added 16 points and six blocks. Conseil added 11 points in the win and junior forward Sharon Wiles and Willis scored 10 points each.

The Lady Saints will travel to Armstrong Atlantic State University for their final game of the season as they take on the Lady Pirates at 2:00 p.m. The Lakers will travel to Florence, S.C. to play Francis Marion University as they try to wrap up the #1 seed in the South Atlantic Region and prepare for the PBC Tournament.