CARROLLTON, Ga. - The UWG women's basketball team got back in the win column on Saturday, defeating the Bellarmine Knights 39-69 at home in Atlantic Sun Conference action.
The win set a record for single-season wins inside The Coliseum (12), and was one-win over the total wins from UWG's inaugural Division I season, with nine guaranteed games remaining.
"I'm really proud of the team, that was a great team win," said head coach Joanna Reitz. "Anytime you can win by 30 in conference, that boosts your confidence. You know we've been working on our defense, and I was pleased with really the first, third, and fourth quarter."
West Georgia (14-7, 7-3 ASUN) outscored Bellarmine (2-21, 0-10 ASUN) 59-21 in those quarters, and held the Knights to a 29.3 percent clip from the field.
"We battled some foul trouble there in the second, and we've got to be more disciplined on the defensive end and keep our main players in rotation," Reitz added.
Three Wolves scored in double-figures, led by Jasmine Jones with 16, Asia Donald with 14, and Grace O'Gara with 12.
It took only eight seconds for UWG to get on the board as Jasmine Jones buried a corner three to start the scoring for the Wolves. Jones scored eight of the Wolves' first 10 as UWG opened on a 10-0 run and forced the visitors into an early timeout. Jones would finish the quarter with 11 points as UWG led 19-6.
Bellarmine found life in the second quarter, outscoring the Wolves 18-10 and ended the half on a 9-0 run and sent it into the break with the Wolves up 29-24.
UWG turned up the defensive pressure after the break, limiting Bellarmine to just five points. On the offensive side, UWG poured in five three-pointers and scored 22 points to carry a 51-29 advantage into the final quarter.
It was an 8-0 run for the Wolves to begin the final quarter, pushing the advantage to 30 points, which would be the largest of the game.
West Georgia got eight rebounds from point guard Sydne Tolbert to lead the effort on the glass, while the junior also dished out a game-high six assists.
The Wolves now prepare for a brutal stretch where they play six of their next eight on the road. Next up for the Wolves is a trip to Jacksonville on Thursday, February 5 at 6:30 p.m.
NOTABLE NUMBERS
- Jasmine Jones scored in double-figures for the 15th time this season.
- It was the 17th double-digit scoring game of the season for Asia Donald.
- Tolbert's eight rebounds were one shy of tying a career-high.
