Twenty team steals by the NJCAA Region XVII's two-time defending champs gave Georgia Northwestern their first road win of the season Thursday. Sophomore First-Team All-Region guard Kiarra Parks (Cleveland, TN) led the way with 15 points and three steals in the 58-52 win at Covenant College (GA).
Defensive pressure by the Lady Cats (3-9) led to 25 Lady Scot turnovers in the non-region match-up. Parks started things off quickly with two steals and four points in the first 18 seconds of the game at Barnes Gymnasium.
The game would go back-and-forth throughout the night as the game would stay within striking distance for the Lady Scots JV. Covenant, trailing by eight with two minutes to play, would manage to cut the lead to three, 55-52, with 42 seconds remaining. A late steal by Lady Cat forward Alyssa Nichelson (Canton, GA) led to an outlet pass to a streaking Parks who would seal the deal in the final seconds for the six-point win.
Freshman Alisha Bridges (Calhoun, GA) would leave her impression on the home team with a productive night. Bridges dropped in 12 points, pulled down 11 rebounds, had five steals, and four assists in the win. Nichelson added 11 points and 11 rebounds.
The player leading the way for Covenant was Chattanooga Christian alum Jess Fikkert. The 6-foot sophomore scored 25 points, and wrapped up nine rebounds (seven offensive), and rejected four Lady Cat shot attempts.
Georgia Northwestern won the front-side of the two-game set with the Lady Scots on December 4, 71-56, at home in the confines of the Winthrop-King Centre in Rome, Georgia. Covenant JV is now on a four-game slide. Their last win taking place at home versus Montreat College on November 22.
The Lady Cats now head to Knoxville, Saturday afternoon to face-off with the Lady Royals of Johnson University. Tip time for the match-up is 2 p.m. The final game for Georgia Northwestern before the Christmas break is Monday night at home against NJCAA Division I opponent, Gadsden State. Game time is 6:30 p.m.
Covenant JV is done for the year and returns to action January 15 down in Eagle Country as they will hit the hardwood in Toccoa, Georgia to take on the Lady Eagles of Toccoa Falls College.
For information on all Georgia Northwestern intercollegiate athletic programs, check out BobcatsCountry.com, e-mail the Office of Sports Information at dfoley@gntc.edu, or call 706 764-3813.
Women's Box Score
Georgia Northwestern (58) - Kiarra Parks 15, Alisha Bridges 12, Alyssa Nichelson 11, Woodley 3, Hall 6, Jones 4, Flaherty, Smith 7.
Covenant College JV (GA) (52) - Tingle 2, Price 7, Bell 5, Quimby 5, Jess Fikkert 25, Stuart 4, Patterson, Dempsey, DeMaria 4.
Halftime Score: 36-30, Georgia Northwestern