Third Quarter Woes Trip up Women's Hoops at FHU

HENDERSON, Tenn. - The Georgetown College women's basketball team headed southwest on Thursday, Jan. 20 for a battle of historical NAIA women's basketball powers. The Tigers battled the Freed-Hardeman University Lady Lions in the second game of a three-game week, but a rough third quarter kept Georgetown from extending its winning streak to three, falling 86-68.

The Tigers opened the week Monday, Jan. 17 with a rescheduled game at Shawnee State University, and the Tigers trounced the Bears, 93-48. A 27-point, 11-rebound effort from AJ Stevenson, and double-digit nights from Jazzmyn Elston (13), Madison Darnell (12), Izzy Lamparty (11), and Callie Jackson (10) helped Georgetown (13-6, 6-5 MSC) cruise to its second win in a row.

Thursday night, Georgetown hung with the home-standing FHU Lady Lions (13-4, 6-4 MSC) and out-rebounded FHU 14-6 in the opening 10 minutes. Though six turnovers in the frame proved costly, at the end of the first quarter, FHU's lead was a single point, 15-14.

In the second stanza, Georgetown shot the ball very well, connecting on 8-of-15 shots, including a pair from long range, and made all four of their free throws. On the defensive end of the floor, the Tigers forced 11 FHU misses, and allowed FHU only a pair of second chance opportunities as they again out-rebounded FHU 10-7. The combination helped GC surge in front at the half by a margin of 36-35 and it set up what looked like it would be a competitive second half.

Unfortunately for the Tigers, the third period did not go well. FHU lit up the scoreboard on the offensive end, racking up 26 points in the frame, and Georgetown struggled to keep pace as they mustered only 4-for-14 shooting in the quarter. Headed to the final frame, the Lady Lions held a comfortable lead, 61-46, and while Georgetown did play much better in the fourth, the result was never in doubt as Georgetown suffered the loss, 86-68.

Jackson led the Tigers on Thursday with a season-high 21 points, and Stevenson also scored in double-figures with 14. Darnell grabbed a team-leading nine rebounds, and Sophie Smith dished out a trio of assists.

As a team, Georgetown shot 23-for-57 (40.4%) from the field, 7-for-20 (35%) from distance, and 15-for-20 (75%) from the foul line. Georgetown held the edge on the glass 36-28, and though FHU controlled the scoring battle in the paint (46-22) and off turnovers (20-7), Georgetown's bench outscored that of the Lady Lions 42-25.

Georgetown will wrap up the busy week with a game on Saturday in McKenzie, Tennessee ata Bethel University (10-9, 4-7 MSC), which is coming off an upset win over NAIA No. 3 Campbellsville University (61-50). Tip-off for the game is slated for 3 p.m. Eastern.