BANNER ELK, N.C. –
Sandra Mason scored 13 points in her Bobcat debut as the Lees-McRae women's basketball battled for 40 minutes with the No.4/18 North Georgia in their season opener. The Nighthawks came away with the 68-67 victory after a missed three-pointer by
Jala Holloman at the buzzer.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Lees-McRae – 67; No. 4/18 North Georgia – 68
LOCATION: McNair & Debi Tornow Court – Banner Elk, North Carolina
RECORDS: Lees-McRae -- (0-1/0-0); No.4/18 North Georgia -- (1-0/0-0)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Arriana Lizarraga tied the contest at five-all with 7:29 in the first half as Lees-McRae took its first lead of the game after a three by Mason. The Bobcats went on a 9-0 run that was capped by a free throw by Dianna Spence. Lees-McRae finished the first quarter with another three via Essence Sumner as the Bobcats led 23-13.
- Lees-McRae continued to add to its lead in the second quarter after a jumper by Mason with 6:15 remaining in the first half. The Bobcats extended their lead to 13 points after a made shot via Jessica Henderson with 3:54 left in the second quarter. North Georgia cut the deficit to nine points as Lees-McRae led the Nighthawks 38-29 heading into the halftime break.
- To start the second half, UNG went on a 5-0 run after a triple by Kaylee Sticker 52 seconds into the third quarter. Aurora Roberts stopped the Nighthawk run at 40-34 after a made basket and the Bobcats added to their lead after a made basket by Jala Holloman.
- North Georgia regained the lead at 43-42 with 6:40 left in the third and pushed its lead to 45-42 after a two-pointer by Niyah Lutz. Lizarraga and Sumner made back-to-back baskets to give Lees-McRae the lead back at 46-45.
- Stephanie Kucy added to the Bobcats' lead to finish quarter at 54-50.
- In the fourth, Henderson extended Lees-McRae advantage to seven points after a fastbreak layup with 9:14 left. The Nighthawks then went on a 11-0 run over the next two and half minutes to take the 61-57 lead.
- Jala Holloman ended the run with a three of her own as the Bobcats trailed by one with 6:02 remaining. North Georgia pushed its lead back to six points after a made free throw by Caroline Martin with 4:33 left in the fourth quarter. Roberts cut UNG's lead back to one point after a fastbreak layup at 66-65.
- Lizzie Campbell made the front end of her two free throws with 35 seconds remaining. Mason quickly answered for the Bobcats with a fastbreak jumper at 29 seconds. UNG missed on their ensuing possession which set up Lees-McRae with the final shot of the contest. Holloman had a solid shot at the buzzer but was too strong as North Georgia survived with the 68-67 victory.
- Lees-McRae went 27-66 (40.9%) from the floor with eight three-pointers and went 5-8 from the free-throw line. Mason had a team-high 13 points as Roberts and Sumner joined her double-figures with 11 and 10 respectively. Roberts pulled down eight rebounds for the Bobcats as Lees-McRae recorded 32 bench points.
FOR THE NIGHTHAWKS:
- Martin led North Georgia with a game-high 17 points in 35 minutes of game action as Niyah Lutz followed with 16 in the scoring column.
- UNG shot 39% (23-59) from the field with six three-point makes. The Nighthawks went 16-25 from the charity stripe in the game and brought in 14 offensive rebounds.
UP NEXT:
The Bobcats return to the court on Monday night as Lees-McRae will face Appalachian State in Boone. The tip-off is slated for 6:30 p.m.
For more information on Lees-McRae Athletics, follow the Bobcats on Twitter (@LMCBobcats), on Facebook (Lees-McRae Athletics), and on Instagram (leesmcraeathletics).
