Basketball teams reach NCAA tournament

The University of North Georgia (UNG) men's basketball team has punched its first-ever ticket to the NCAA Division II tournament, and the UNG women's basketball team earned its sixth consecutive NCAA tournament berth.

The Nighthawks men (20-7) travel to the Southeast Regional at Augusta University as the No. 7 seed, where they will face No. 2 seed UNC Pembroke in a first-round matchup at 2:30 p.m. March 11.

Fourth-year head coach Dan Evans' men's basketball team has already made history in a variety of categories in 2022-23, including the most wins in UNG's NCAA era (20) and its best conference record in the NCAA era (13-5). UNG joined NCAA Division II ahead of the 2005-06 season.

The UNG men lost 74-69 to Columbus State University in the Peach Belt Conference (PBC) quarterfinals held in Augusta, Georgia.

"It was very special to have a moment like the selection show on Sunday. We weren't promised anything after Thursday, so everyone was on edge. No one knew what was ahead," Evans said. "The joy of hearing our name called is something we will all remember for the rest of our lives. In truth, we are an example of the success that can be achieved when everyone is committed to the success of the group over their own personal gain."

UNG senior forward Frank Champion was the PBC men's basketball Player of the Year and a first-team All-PBC selection, and AJ White won the PBC Freshman of the Year award and was second-team All-PBC.

Meanwhile, the UNG women (19-10) will begin Southeast Regional Play at Catawba College as the No. 7 seed, where they will face No. 2 seed Wingate University in a first-round matchup at 2:30 p.m. March 10. UNG defeated Wingate 67-61 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on Dec. 19.

"It's an honor to get back to the NCAA tournament. It's no secret we lost a lot of key ingredients off last year's Final Four team, so to see this team put in work and earn a bid has been rewarding," women's basketball head coach Buffie Burson said. "We have stuck together all year and are battle tested, so it will be exciting to see what we can accomplish. I am very proud to coach this group."

This is the 15th time Burson has led her team to the national postseason in 29 years at UNG, including seven of the past 10 NCAA tournaments.

The UNG women reached the PBC semifinals in Americus, Georgia. They defeated Augusta 80-69 before falling 72-55 to eventual PBC champion Georgia Southwestern.

Junior guard Caroline Martin garnered first-team All-PBC recognition and made the PBC all-tournament team, while senior guard Josie Earnhardt was third-team All-PBC.

Freshman Elysa Walter earned the Southern Conference individual air rifle title while leading UNG to a tie for second overall in the conference championship held March 4-5 at The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina. Walter secured Southern Conference Freshman of the Year Honors, as well.

Joining Walter on the first-team All-Southern Conference list were Maya Cameron and Alyssa Kiser, and Jaden-Ann Fraser was a second-team All-Southern Conference performer.

Earlier this season, Walters became the second UNG rifle student-athlete to secure a spot at the NCAA championships, earning an individual spot in the air rifle discipline.

A total of 48 competitors will compete in the championships, with 40 competitors coming from the top eight teams selected. The remaining eight competitors were selected based on the scores submitted from the designated qualifier.

Walter tied UNG's aggregate air rifle score record Feb. 11 before breaking it a week later with a 596.