Georgia College & State University women’s basketball has started the 2022-23 season with its best record since the 2016-17 season at 7-1.
The team kicked off its season with an exhibition game at Charleston Southern University, a Division I school in the Big South Conference.
The defending Peach Belt Conference Freshman of the Year, Ashyia Willis, led the offense as the Bobcat’s only doubledigit scorer with 11 points.
The regular season kicked off just four days later for the Peach Belt and Conference Carolinas Crossover Tournament held in the Centennial Center.
GCSU played their first game against Southern Wesleyan University where they dominated taking a 74-46 win. There were five double-digit scores in the contest to help propel the Bobcats over the Warriors. Redshirt senior Harper Vick led the offense with 14 points going 2-for-3 from behind the three-point line. Miramar, Florida native Dashaun Jackson led the rebounding effort with seven and added a blocked shot to her box score.
The next win for the Bobcats came on the second day of the crossover tournament over Barton College. This game was more competitive as GCSU took the 74-68 win. The standout sophomore Alexa Geary led the offense banking 17 points. Geary had outstanding shooting percentages across the court going 4-for-6 from field goal range, 2-for-2 from behind the arc, and 7-for-8 from the free throw stripe. Redshirt senior Cassidy Markle led the rebounding with nine while having three blocked shots.
The Bobcats kept rolling as they played their third straight home contest this time against Limestone University.
This was the closest game of the season which resulted in a 72-68 overtime win for GCSU.
There were once again five double-digit scorers in the contest with the Winthrop transfer Myra Strickland leading the scoring knocking down 14 points. Jackson also showed out in the contest nabbing the first doubledouble of the season for the Bobcats with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Georgia College had the first regular season road test at Emmanuel College where they picked up the 63-52 win. Sophomore guard Geary continues to show out as she led the scoring banking 18 points, which included two three-point buckets.
Willis led the rebounding effort with eight.
After a short road stay, GCSU returned to the Centennial Center and picked up a 67-54 win over Shorter University.
Vick had her best game of the season knocking down 22 points including 10 field goals to hoist the Bobcats over the Hawks.
Classmate Markle led the rebounding effort with 11 and shot 100% from field goal range.
Georgia College hit the road again to compete in the Young Harris Classic Tournament where they kicked off the tournament playing Emory & Henry. The Bobcats picked up the lopsided 77-54 win. Vick stayed hot as she was the leading scorer in this contest as well with 15 points shooting 50% from behind the arc. Norcross native Jada Warren had her best game of the season corralling 11 rebounds to lead the squad.
GCSU took their first loss of the season against Tusculum University, 67-46. Geary led the offense with 13 points going 3-for-5 from behind the arc.
Jackson was the leading rebounder with nine.
GCSU bounced back from their only loss of the season to pick up a road win at Albany State University. The Bobcats had three double-digit scores with Strickland leading the shooting and knocking down her career-high of 16 points. She went 3-for-6 from behind the arc and 5-for-9 from field goal range. Vick and Geary were the second-leading scorers with 13 points apiece both knocking down four free throws and four field goals apiece. Leading the rebounding effort with 10 was Jackson as the only player with double-digit rebounds. Warren was right behind her with eight.
The Bobcats are back in action Saturday, Dec. 10 to kick off conference play at Young Harris College.
Tip-off is set for 1:30 p.m. with live stats and broadcast links available at GCBobcats.com.