(Winthrop-King Center, Rome, Georgia) – For the second time in two days, Georgia Northwestern tangled with a Division I women’s basketball program. This time, it was Snead State (AL) that came to Rome, Georgia for the home opener for the Lady Cats on Wednesday night.
Rome, Georgia product Keesha Wise dropped in 16 points on the night to help keep GNTC close throughout the game. Tied 31-all at the half, the visiting Lady Parsons would turn to Grant, Alabama native Monica Cooper and her game-high 19 points as Snead State would escape the confines of the Winthrop-King Center with a 74-65 win.
The Lady Cats were down 13 in the first half before they went on a run to close out the half and knot things up at the intermission.
Snead State (1-3) would open up a lead in the second half thanks in part to former Rome, Georgia prep standout Summer Starr who contributed 11 points in the Lady Parsons win.
“We really played with this D-I program and had a chance to steal this one away,” said Georgia Northwestern Head Women’s Basketball Coach Jim Williams. “This is just one more step against some big programs we’ve schedule to prepare us for the region opponents. We want to be the best. So we are playing the best.”
Pepperell grad and Lady Cat freshman Kiarra Parks would add 11 points and a trio of steals in the home loss. Parks was a 1,000 point scorer in her career with the Lady Dragons. “We have a solid set of freshman recruits,” said Williams. “These young women are playing established programs within just points of upsets. It’s fun to watch them develop.”
The Lady Cats (0-2) turn into the Road Cats this Friday as the defending NJCAA Region XVII champs play in the Welch College Invitational in Nashville, Tennessee. Their first game is set for Friday at 3 p.m. eastern against Piedmont International (NC).
Georgia Northwestern competes in NJCAA Region XVII in Women’s and Men’s Basketball, Women’s Volleyball, and Men’s Golf. For more information on Bobcat Athletics at Georgia Northwestern, contact the GNTC Office of Sports Information at dfoley@gntc.edu or 706.764.3813.
Georgia Northwestern (56) – Kiarra Parks 11, Jones 9, Daughtry 3, Cole 1, Keesha Wise 16, Smith 3, Price 6, Mostella 4, Odessa Person 10, Nichelson 2.
Snead State (74) – Ashante Smith 10, Monica Coopers 19, Summer Starr 11, Elston 5, Smiley 2, Dupree 6, Wilkerson 5, Ham 1, Ford, Daniel 2, Carlisle 3, Bothwell 6, Swopes 4.
Halftime Score: 31-all.