Georgia College & State University (GCSU) beat Flagler University 82-73 at home in Milledgeville on March 5, in the Peach Belt Conference (PBC) women’s quarterfinals. While concluding the 2024-25 Bobcats home season, the win advanced the team to the PBC semifinals versus University of North Georgia (UNG) on March 8 at Dahlonega.
Once there, North Georgia delivered a 63-22 beatdown to the Bobcats, who scored the fewest points ever in a PBC playoff game and the fewest ever in GCSU program history. The 2024-25 Bobcats women finished 17-13 overall in wins-losses, and 9-9 within the PBC, with their 17 wins being the second-highest total in program history.
GCSU’s matchup with Flagler marked the Bobcats’ first time hosting a playoff game since 2011 as well as their first appearance in the PBC playoffs since 2018.
The quarterfinal matchup between the Bobcats and the Saints quickly turned into a tight competition, with Flagler scoring 21 points in the first quarter to 20 for GCSU. The teams were tied at 37 for halftime, but Flagler held a 60-56 advantage after the third quarter.
The GCSU women pulled away in the fourth quarter, though, doubling the visitor’s score with 26 points to reach the final tally.
GCSU women’s basketball head coach Ross Jolly called it “an awesome game to watch” and credited both teams for their performances.
“I think Flagler played very well, and they made it very tough,” Jolly said. “The game could have gone either way and then we got down to the fourth quarter and outscored them 26-13.”
Jolly also credited his team for its effort in the fourth quarter and believes the final minutes were crucial to the outcome.
“The fourth quarter is just huge in terms of getting enough stops and rebounds, but also for getting to the free throw line and getting points on the board,” he said. “Twenty-six points is a good number for our team.”
Senior guard Ashyia Willis led the Bobcats with 24 total points, six free throws, and four rebounds during the game. Junior guard Deshona Gaither was second in scoring with 15 points, including three 3-pointers, and two free throws.
“They trusted me for the whole season,” Willis said, crediting her teammates. “So, I just need to have confidence when I’m getting the ball in my hands.”
With the conclusion of the Bobcats’ 2024-25 home season, Jolly said he believes the playoff victory was an ideal send-off from Milledgeville for the team’s seniors.
“Having our seniors going out of [the Centennial Center] with a win is something pretty special,” said Jolly. “I hope that they take time to remember it as well because you don’t often get to do that.”
At UNG in Dahlonega, the score was a respectable 16-10 at the end of the first quarter, but UNG was on top 31-16 by halftime. At the end of the third quarter the Nighthawks’ lead was up to 50-20, and with only two free throws going in for the Bobcats in the final quarter the outcome was sealed.
GCSU Athletics has not yet announced the Bobcats’ 2025-2026 women’s basketball season schedule.