DAHLONEGA, GA -- Behind a historic defensive effort, the top-seeded University of North Georgia women's basketball team advanced to the final of the PBC Tournament with a dominating 63-22 win over fourth-seeded Georgia College & State University on Saturday in Dahlonega. With that win, the Nighthawks (28-2) return to the PBC Tournament championship game for the sixth time in the last eight years. UNG won the tournament in 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022.

UNG held the Bobcats to 8-for-60 shooting on the day (.133) with GCSU managing only six total points in the second half, including two in the fourth quarter.

The game was close in the first quarter as GCSU, who defeated UNG in Dahlonega earlier in the season held a 10-8 lead with 1:46 to go in the first. UNG's Emily Trushel then drained a three to start a 14-0 Nighthawk run that left them with a 22-10 lead midway through the second.

GCSU would cut that to 22-11 following a Miracle Parker free throw, but would get no closer. UNG's Avery Jones and Caroline Martin hit back-to-back shots and UNG went on to lead 31-16 at the half.

UNG's defense was in full effect in the second quarter, keeping the Bobcats off the scoreboard for over three minutes. GCSU's struggles offensively extended to their perimeter game, where they shot 2-for-22 in the contest.

Martin, named the PBC Player of the Year on Friday, finished with a game-high 15 points while Ansley Hall added 12. Trushel led the team with nine rebounds and eight assists.

Hannah Cail led GCSU with eight points while Jada Warren grabbed 11 rebounds.

UNG will face off against the Lander/Georgia Southwestern State winner on Sunday at 1:00 pm in the UNG Convocation Center.