Georgia College & State University (GCSU) women’s basketball (14-12, 6-10 PBC) took a narrow road win at Lander University last week, followed up by a home loss to Clayton State University.
The first contest was a real nailbiter as the Bobcats earned a 63-62 win Feb. 15, over the Bearcats, while Saturday’s match against the Lakers delivered a 69-58 deficit.
The Bobcats started strong against Lander, outscoring the host team 21-13 in the first quarter and leading 31-22 at the half. They also won the third quarter 12-11 and looked to be cruising to victory before a furious comeback attempt by the Bearcats netted 16 points in the final minute of the game – only to come up one point short of forcing overtime.
Lander outscored GCSU 29-20 in the final quarter.
Regardless, it turned out to be a strong offensive effort by GCSU, producing a trio of doubledigit scorers, led by Gainesville native Ashyia Willis at 15 points. Willis made five field goals and went 5-for-6 from the free throw line. Alexa Geary and Harper Vick each scored 10 points, as Geary netted four field goals and Vick went 4-for-9 from the floor.
There were two doubledigit rebounders for the Bobcats. Jada Warren of Norcross stayed hot to lead the team with 12 rebounds, including seven under the Bearcat basket.
Super senior Cassie Markle from Marietta was the GCSU squad’s second-leading rebounder at 10 and she also nabbed seven under the LU basket.
The Bobcats capped off the week Feb. 18, with a tough loss to Clayton State on Homecoming Day at GCSU.
The Lakers struck first with a two-point jumper and both teams commenced to trading baskets back and forth until the score at the end of the first half favored CSU by three at 31-28.
Clayton never lost its lead through the second half, outscoring Georgia College 18-12 in the third quarter and 20-18 in the fourth to reach the 68-58 final.
There were two scorers for the Bobcats that put on a show, however, with Geary leading the GCSU scoring effort with an impressive 20 points that included six field goals, with five from behind the arc. Myra Strickland of Duluth was the team’s second-leading scorer at 16 points after knocking down five field goals and going 5-for-7 from the free throw line.
Following a Wednesday night home game against Flagler this week, GCSU women’s hoops will return to action Feb. 25, against Columbus State University. Live stats and broadcast links will be available at GCBobcats. com for the 1:30 p.m. tipoff in Columbus.