The Lady Statesmen (9-0) have won 10 consecutive games dating back to last season, while the Lady Saints (7-1) tied a school record with seven wins before bowing out to DSU this evening in Memorial Gymnasium. North Georgia came into the match-up averaging 83.1 ppg while the Lady Statesmen were only allowing 45.0 ppg. For the first half, it looked as if the Lady Saints would hit their average.

DSU took control of the ball game early and had an 11-6 lead after the first five minutes of the half. The Lady Saints tied the score 15-15 with 10:57 remaining on the clock off of a lay-up from freshman guard Syretha Marble. Marble kept North Georgia in the game early, converting four of her five shots in the first half for nine points.

The DSU pulled away again and had a 19-17 lead over the Lady Saints after a made free throw from sophomore guard Jennifer Rushing with 7:31 remaining. A couple of free throws by senior guard Katie Williamson tied the game with 6:15 remaining in the half and then the Lady Saints took their first lead of the game off of a three from Williamson two minutes later.

North Georgia walked into the locker room with a four-point lead, 32-28, after shooting 36% (10-28) from the field and 77% (10-13) from the charity stripe. The Lady Statesmen also shot well in the half, 55% (11-10) from the field and 33% (2-6) from behind the arc.

In the second half, DSU's defense took over and Rushing provided the offensive spark. Opening up the first ten minutes of the half with a 14-4 run, the Lady Statesmen had a double-digit lead with 9:38 to go in the game. The DSU offense put the game away, shooting 13-for-24 from the field and 12-for-17 from the free throw line in the half as the Lady Saints offense struggled to score. North Georgia finished the game shooting 30% (17-57) from the field and struggled from the free throw line, connecting on only 15-of-27 attempts.

Rushing, the 2005 Gulf South Conference “Freshman of the Year” had an outstanding game, scoring 18 points and hauling down 10 rebounds. Four of the five Lady Statesmen starters scored in double figures with senior guard Amber Gean adding 18, junior guard Wyconda Thomas with 15, and senior center Lawanda Stewart chipping in 11 points.

Senior post Jeanine Dorminey led North Georgia with her third double-double of the season, 14 points and a game high 11 rebounds. Marble had another good game, adding 13 points, five steals, and five rebounds.

Syrethra Marble