Nighthawks win PBC and will host regional
Article By: Clark Leonard
The University of North Georgia (UNG) women's basketball team won its fourth Peach Belt Conference (PBC) tournament title in five seasons and will host the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional as the No. 1 seed from March 11-14.
After compiling a 25-3 record, the Nighthawks host eighth-seeded Columbus State University (17-13) in the NCAA first round at 5 p.m. March 11. The winner advances to take on the victor between fourth-seeded Wingate University (24-5) and fifth-seeded Carson-Newman University (26-5) in a 7:30 p.m. March 12 regional semifinal.
Ticketing will be fully digital through UNG's HomeTown Ticketing portal or the HomeTown Ticketing app. General admission tickets must be pre-purchased and are $10 each. Senior citizens (65 and older), UNG students, and military can purchase a discounted ticket for $7. Children ages 10 and under will receive free admission.
The Southeast Regional championship is set for 7 p.m. March 14.
"It's a surreal feeling to host another regional. It's just very hard to accomplish. I've been impressed with the leadership of Julianne Sutton and Abbie Franklin, who have played in three regional championship games," UNG head coach Buffie Burson said. "They are surrounded by an incredibly talented supporting cast who happen to be great teammates too. I'm grateful they are being rewarded by getting to play at home."
Our players have shown an ability and willingness to adjust to whatever the team needed at any given time. It has truly been a team effort, and it's great to see how happy our players are for each other. That's when you know you have something really special.
Buffie Burson
UNG women's basketball head coach
Also joining UNG in the regional are No. 2 seed Lander University (22-4), No. 3 seed Georgia Southwestern (22-6), No. 6 seed Barton College (28-1), and No. 7 seed Catawba College (23-6).
Four of the eight teams in the Southeast Regional are from the PBC. UNG went 16-2 against PBC opponents to earn the regular-season league title before adding three more victories against conference foes in the PBC tournament in Dahlonega.
UNG secured the PBC tournament title March 6 with a 72-65 win against Clayton State University in Dahlonega.
The Nighthawks defeated Young Harris College in the quarterfinals and Columbus State in the semifinals.
Senior forward Julianne Sutton earned PBC Co-Player of the Year honors, with Caroline Martin joining Sutton on the first-team All-PBC list, and Abbie Franklin making the second team. Burson was PBC Coach of the Year.
"It has been another season of uncertainties and adversity. However, every player on our roster contributed at some point in a big way to get us where we are now. Our players have shown an ability and willingness to adjust to whatever the team needed at any given time," Burson said. "It has truly been a team effort, and it's great to see how happy our players are for each other. That's when you know you have something really special."
UNG men's basketball forward Frank Champion was also a first-team All-PBC selection.
Rifle team wins Southern Conference air rifle title
UNG's rifle team finished second overall in the Southern Conference championships held March 5-6 in Lexington, Virginia. The Nighthawks won the air rifle title and took third in smallbore. Ranked No. 17 nationally, UNG's rifle team defeated six teams from its five Division I rival schools, including two teams from The Citadel, at the conference championship event.
Jaden-Ann Fraser led UNG in air rifle with a silver medal for her second-place individual finish while Jayne Fraley was fifth and Alyssa Kiser took sixth. Fraley finished third to earn bronze in smallbore, and Kiser was fifth. Fraley had the top aggregate score at the Southern Conference championships and also set a school record in air rifle in the qualifying round.
Fraser and Kiser earned first-team All-Southern Conference recognition in air rifle, with Fraley on the second team. Kiser, Fraser, and Dawson Kissik earned second-team All-Southern Conference honors in small-bore.
"They did a great job of coming together and overcoming obstacles," head coach Tori Kostecki said. "They have bonded well as a team."
Nighthawks wrap up season in Sweet 16
The UNG women's soccer team fell 2-0 to Columbus State University in the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional championship Dec. 1.
Women's soccer team makes Sweet 16
The UNG women's soccer team punched its ticket to the NCAA Division II Sweet 16 for the first time since 2016 with a 1-0 victory against Lander University on Nov. 24.
Nighthawks make NCAA tournament
The UNG women's soccer team has earned the No. 3 seed in the Southeast Region of the NCAA Division II tournament, marking its fourth consecutive postseason appearance.
Basketball teams aim high in 2024-25
The UNG men’s and women’s basketball teams tip off their seasons in early November. Both teams return all-conference performers as they aim for national and PBC supremacy.