Caroline Martin scored 28 points, including the go-ahead basket with 4:45 remaining, as nationally-ranked University of North Georgia came from behind to defeat Tusculum University 70-65 in non-conference women’s basketball action Tuesday evening.
The Nighthawks (2-0), ranked fourth in the D2SIDA national poll, 18th in the WBCA Division II poll and first in the D2SIDA Southeast Region rankings, trailed by 12 points in the first half but went on a 16-2 run to take the lead late in the first half. The Pioneers (2-1) would regain the lead early in the fourth quarter, but Tusculum shot just 29.2 percent (7-for-24) from three-point range and missed on seven of their eight attempts in the final period.
Jami Tham, who battled foul trouble throughout the game, led the Pioneers with 18 points and 12 rebounds for her third straight double-double to open the season. Deidre Cheremond added 15 points in 13 minutes off the bench, while Sophie Henry scored a career-high 11 points and matched her career best with eight assists before fouling out in the final minute. Alyssa Walker also reached double figures for the Pioneers with 10 points, including a pair of three-pointers.
Josie Earnhardt joined Martin in double figures for North Georgia, hitting four three-pointers and finishing with 16 points, while Kaylee Sticker scored 11 points. Kayla Masson added seven points, a team-high eight rebounds and two blocked shots for North Georgia, which avenged a 54-38 loss to Tusculum last season on the road when the Nighthawks were ranked in the top 10 in both major Division II polls.
Martin, a preseason All-Peach Belt Conference guard who averaged 14.9 points per game for the Nighthawks during their run to the NCAA Division II semifinals last season, shot 9-for-19 from the field and 9-for-13 from the foul line while adding seven rebounds and three blocked shots in 40 minutes of playing time. The Nighthawks had opened their season on Saturday with a 68-67 road win over Lees-McRae behind 17 points and eight boards from Martin.
After three road games in a span of five days, the Pioneers will prepare for their home opener against Regent University on Friday, Nov. 18 at 5 p.m. at Pioneer Arena. The Royals, a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association, are 0-2 following season-opening losses to Division III opponents Hollins (59-54) and Virginia Wesleyan (55-35).
