DAHLONEGA, Ga. – Tori Pearce scored a game-high 23 points, but it wasn't enough as Flagler College lost to the University of North Georgia 67-56 in a Peach Belt Conference women's basketball game Wednesday afternoon at the UNG Convocation Center.

North Georgia remains perfect on the season at 4-0 and today was its conference opener. Flagler is now 2-2 overall and 1-1 in conference play.

"North Georgia out-played us today," said head coach Mo Smith. "They did a great job executing on both ends of the floor and we did not. We have to put this one behind us and get ready for Columbus State."

The Saints trailed 40-30 early in the third quarter and nearly wiped out the deficit thanks to a 9-0 run with Pearce accounting for seven of those points.

The Nighthawks followed with a 16-2 run over the next 5:11to take their largest lead of the game, 56-41, after Julianne Sutton made the second of two free throw attempts.

Flagler was able to rally back and pull to within six (58-52) on a Pearce layup, but the Saints could not get any closer.

Sutton finished with a double-double with 17 points and a game-high 10 rebounds for North Georgia. Josie Earnhardt added 15 points while Abbie Franklin tacked on 11 points. Lacie McCoy contributed 10 points.

Staci Miller came off the bench to provide 10 points for the Saints. Sadie Russell grabbed seven rebounds.

Up next for Flagler is a road game against Columbus State University on Saturday at 1:30 p.m.


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