Saturday, November 26, 2005

LADY SAINTS DROP LADY BARONS 80-69 IN ALLTEL CLASSIC

Dahlonega, Ga. – In a classic match-up of women's basketball powers, North Georgia College & State University defeated Brewton-Parker College 80-69 in the final game of the 2005 Alltel Classic hosted by NGCSU.

This game was also a rematch of last season's Southern States Athletic Conference Tournament Championship in which the Lady Saints won 77-68. These two teams finished tied atop the SSAC in the regular season as well with the Lady Saints handing the Lady Barons their only two losses in the conference.

The Lady Saints (4-0) took the lead early off of a lay-up from senior post Lara Seamon as they jumped out 6-5 over the Lady Barons (7-3). Slowly, North Georgia pulled away until they took their first double-digit lead of the game, 29-18, off of a three-pointer from sophomore guard Megan Huffman. The Lady Saints had as much as a 12-point lead, 37-25, with 3:30 left on the clock, but BPC went on a 9-0 run to close the half. The comeback was capped off with a steal by freshman guard Shelby Pauling and two free throws by senior guard Dannisha Winfrey to make it a 37-34 game heading into the locker room.

Senior guard Ashley Little led the Lady Barons charge with 12 points and was countered by North Georgia's Seamon who posted 10 in the first period. Senior post Jeanine Dorminey grabbed 12 rebounds and four blocks in the first half alone to lead the Lady Saints.

As the second half opened, North Georgia tried to open up the lead but was unable to do so, due to the work of senior forward Tamika Drinks-Holloway, Little, and Winfrey. The trio scored all of BPC's 10 points in the first seven minutes of the half. The Lady Saints turned to their bench and freshman guard Syretha Marble who tossed in a lay-up with 11:53 remaining in the game to give North Georgia a 55-44 lead.

The Lady Barons continued to fight, but slowly the Lady Saints climbed away with the lead until senior guard Lindsey Huffman made a lay-up with 4:05 remaining to give North Georgia its largest lead of the evening, 74-57. Both teams played out the remainder of the game, with the Lady Saints finishing victorious, 80-69.

North Georgia placed five in double-figures with Seamon and Dorminey finishing with double-doubles. Seamon had 14 points with 14 rebounds while Dorminey finished just shy of a triple-double with 10 points, 15 rebounds, and seven blocked shots. Marble finished with a career high 14 points along with Lindsey Huffman who had 14 points while her sister, Megan, added a season and game high 21 points.

BPC had equally impressive performances from Drinks-Holloway, who had 18 points and 14 rebounds, along with Winfrey who added 18 points and four steals. Little finished with 16 points after going 7-of-8 from the free throw line.

The Lady Saints will play again on Wednesday as they welcome Augusta State University for their Peach Belt Conference opener in Memorial Gymnasium at 5:30 p.m. The Lady Barons will play conference rival Reinhardt College on the road at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday.

Box Score

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