DAHLONEGA, Ga. - #13 North Georgia hit two free throws with 20 seconds left in the game to take a one-point lead and held on for the 69-68 win over #3 Lander Saturday afternoon. 

The Nighthawks started the game off on a 10-0 run. A layup by Zamiya Passmore would stop the run, but North Georgia would take a 17-4 lead with 4:23 remaining in the period. Lander outscored North Georgia 6-2 to make it a 19-10 game. Amiaya Melvins would get fouled while making a layup and hit the free throw at the 6:31 mark to make it a 25-17 game. That would be as close as the Bearcats could get in the half, as the Nighthawks took a 34-24 lead into the half.   

A three-point basket by Passmore midway through the third quarter cut the deficit to four, but North Georgia held off the Bearcats and took a nine-point lead into the final period.  

Back-to-back three-pointers by Vashae Rideout and Mirian Recarte made it a 58-53, and two free throws from Aniaya Jester made it a three-point game. After a basket by North Georiga increased their lead back to five, Lander got two layups by Makaila Cangé and one by Passmore to take their first lead of the game 61-60. LEading 65-64 with 2:28 remaining, Cangé would be fouled as she made a layup. She drained the foul shot to put the Bearcats up by four points. The Nighthawks hit a three-point basket with just over a minute left to make it a one-point game. North Georgia would hold Lander scoreless and then hit two free throws to take the lead and the win.  

Passmore led all players with 25 points, with four steals and three assists. Cangé finished the game with 11 points, while Rideout had 10 points in her first action since before the break.