Wednesday, February 21, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Travis Jarome, SID

LADY SAINTS RALLY FALLS SHORT TO USC AIKEN
North Georgia comes back from 18-point deficit

Aiken, SC – North Georgia College & State University saw a late second half rally fall short in the second half, falling 57-55 to USC Aiken in the final women's basketball to be played at The Courthouse Wednesday night.

Jordon Thomas stepped to the line for the Pacers and knocked down two free throws with 8.6 seconds remaining to give USC Aiken the victory.

After falling behind by as many as 18 points in the first half, and trailing by 16 points with 12:35 to go in the contest, the Lady Saints fought their way back into the contest over the final minutes.

Following a Megan Starnes jumper to give USC Aiken a 51-35 lead with 12:35 remaining in the contest, Megan Huffman started the North Georgia run with a free throw just 37 seconds later. The free throw ignited a 14-2 run that pulled the Lady Saints close to their second road win of the season. Porsha White followed the free throw up with a 10-footer to close the deficit to 51-38 with 11:28 remaining in the contest.

Avonte Williams answered for USC Aiken, scoring two of her game-high 20 points, on a lay-up with 10:18 remaining to give the Pacers a 53-38 lead - the last field goal for USC Aiken for the remainder of the game. White answered for North Georgia, hitting a six-footer to close the gap to 53-40 with 10:03 remaining. Following a 59 second drought, Kourtney Singleton stole a pass and converted a fastbreak lay-up to cut the lead to 53-41 with 9:04 to play.

The Lady Saints used six consecutive free throws to trim the lead even further with 4:39 to play. Rachael Jolley, Huffman and Syretha Marble hit two free throws each to trim the lead to 53-49. White finished the run off for the Lady Saints, hitting a short jumper with 3:16 remaining in the contest to trim the lead to 53-51.

Williams gave USC Aiken a four-point advantage with 1:37 remaining after hitting two free throws. Marble answered for North Georgia, taking a pass from Jolley and hitting a jumper to trim the lead to 55-53 with 1:21 remaining. Huffman tied the game with 36 seconds remaining after hitting two free throws, setting the stage for Thomas.

North Georgia shot just 25.9 (14-for-54) percent from the floor and 16.7 (2-for-12) percent from behind the arc in the loss. However, they connected on 80.6 (25-for-31) percent from the free throw line.

USC Aiken connected on 40 (22-for-55) percent of their shots from the floor, and just 28.6 (2-for-7). The Pacers also struggled from the line, shooting just 61.1 (11-for-18) percent.

Williams led USC Aiken (18-8, 10-5 PBC) with 20 points, 11 rebounds and four steals. Meredith Legg added 11 points in the victory.

Huffman led North Georgia with 15 points, including hitting 13-of-14 free throws on the night. White finished with 14, while Marble added 11 points and 10 rebounds. Jolley also grabbed 10 rebounds in the loss.

North Georgia (12-13, 7-8 PBC) will try and even its record as they play their final game of the season on Saturday afternoon. The Lady Saints host Francis Marion at Memorial Hall, with tip-off scheduled for 4 pm.

-NGCSU-

Box Score

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