CARROLLTON, Ga. - The University of West Georgia women's basketball team won their final regular season game of the 2022-23 season after defeating Delta State 67-53, and in the process secured the number six seed in next week's Gulf South Conference Tournament.
West Georgia (13-15, 11-13 GSC) held the Statesmen's (12-15, 11-12 GSC) to 35.5% and just 25% from behind the three-point line.
"As always I'm very proud of them, it takes everybody and everyone made a play," said head coach Joanna Reitz. "It got ugly, I thought there were times when I thought we were going to blow the game open a little bit, but they hung around, Delta did a good job making adjustments, but our team stayed with it, and we were a lot better on the boards in the second half."
The Wolves got off to a fast start, leading Delta State 10-6 at the 4:49 mark. Sophia Singer would soon knock down UWG's third three-pointer of the first quarter to extend their lead to 13-6 with 3:41 left in the initial frame. Both teams would trade baskets to end the final quarter with West Georgia leading 16-10 heading into the second quarter.
Delta State would begin the second quarter with a quick two points and cut the Wolves' lead to four 16-12 with 8:20 left in the quarter. Katelyn Dunning would soon answer back for the Wolves with a three-pointer to extend the lead 19-12. West Georgia would use a mini 6-0 run after two three-pointers from Aliyah Washington and Katelyn Dunning to push the lead to 29-19 with 5:32 left in the first half. UWG and DSU would finish the first half trading baskets with the Wolves taking a 36-27 lead into the half.
The Wolves started the third quarter strong using a 7-0 run to push their lead to 43-27 with 6:16 left in the in the third. Delta State did not back down, the Statesmen's would use the rest of the third quarter to go on a 17-4 run, and cut UWG's lead down to three, 47-44 going into the final quarter.
Aliyah Washinton and Stephanie Torres would get the Wolves going in the final frame with four freebies to extend the UWG lead 51-44 with 7:35 left in the game. DSU's Grace Watson would soon convert a three-point play to cut the UWG lead back to four. UWG's Torres would answer right back with a two-point jump shot and an and-one layup to push the lead back to nine for the Wolves with only 4:54 to go in the final quarter. Delta State's Otashae Burrage knocked down a three to bring the game back within six, at the 3:45 mark. From there West Georgia would go on to outscore Delta State 11-3 in the last 3:30 to win the ball game 67-53.
Washington had a game high 24 points which ties her career high and five rebounds, to go along with three steals. Torres chipped in 16 points and grabbed a career high nine rebounds. Senior Peace Okeke scored eight points in her final home game at The Coliseum, while freshman guard Katelyn Dunning also contributed eight points.
MaKenzie Hill scored a team high 14 points for Delta State, while Sophomore Center Grace Watson added 11 points and grabbed five rebounds for the Statesmen.
West Georgia finished their 2022-23 regular season 13-15 and are set to visit the West Florida Argonauts on Super Tuesday in the Quarterfinals of the GSC Tournament.
