Saturday, December 30, 2006

LADY SAINTS GIVE BURSON HER 300th VICTORY
North Georgia scores first and never trails on the road

Orangeburg, S.C. – North Georgia College & State University head coach Buffie Burson was on the verge of a milestone Saturday afternoon, but had one thing on her mind near the end of the game – conference play beginning next week.

The Lady Saints used double-doubles by a trio of players to defeat Claflin University 79-50 on the road to give Burson her 300th career victory at the institution.

“I really haven’t been focusing on it,” Burson said.  “I was just focusing on just getting ready for conference play.  The milestone still means a lot, but I am just focused on getting us ready for Pembroke and the Peach Belt starting next week.”

Junior center Rachael Jolley had a career day against the Pantherettes, scoring 21 points and pulling down a game-high 20 rebounds.  She shot a perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line in the victory.  Freshman post player Porsha White scored a career-high 22 points in the win, and she also pulled down 11 rebounds. 

Junior guard Megan Huffman continued her hot-shooting, scoring 17 points on 4-for-7 shooting from behind the arc.  She also pulled down 12 rebounds.

The trio pulled down 43 rebounds, 11 more than the entire Claflin team.  The Lady Saints outrebounded Claflin 60-32 in the victory.

The Lady Saints shot 41.3 (26-for-63) percent from the floor, and 31.6 (6-for-19) percent from behind the arc.  They also shot 75 (21-for-28) percent from the free throw line.

Meanwhile, Claflin shot just 28.8 (19-for-66) percent from the floor and 29.4 (5-for-17) percent from behind the arc in the loss.  They also shot just 35 (7-for-20) percent from the free throw line.

LaToya Savage was the only Claflin player in double figures with 16 points, on 6-for-20 shooting from the floor.

North Georgia was still without junior forward Kourtney Singleton, who suffered an injury against the University of the Cumberlands on December 16.  However, sophomore point guard Lindsey Kitchens returned to action, playing 17 minutes after being out of action for the last two weeks.

“For our last non-conference game it was a good game for us to play,” Burson said.  “The game was good because it allowed us to get back into shape and work out the kinks before the conference season starts.  It was just good to get back on the winning side, and we are ready to get into conference play.”

North Georgia (5-5) begins defense of their Peach Belt Conference championship Thursday, as they travel to North Carolina to take on UNC Pembroke at 5:30 pm.

 

-NGCSU-

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