AMERICUS – The Georgia Southwestern women’s basketball team (9-5, 3-4 PBC) lost their fifth game of the season to the Flagler Saints (3-10, 1-6 PBC) by a mere three points, 59-56, on Jan. 14 in the Storm Dome.

The Lady ‘Canes started off stong with Tiara Thompson making the first two baskets followed by Yvonna Dunkley making another to take the lead 6-0. The Saints responded with three lay ups to tie it up in the first five minutes and then another two baskets to take the lead 10-6 at the 13:31 mark.

Shatoria Hudson put in a lay up to put GSW behind by only two but the Saints added another two points with a lay up to take a four point lead. Thompson gave GSW another point with a free throw to try and slim the lead from the Saints but they came back with two lay ups to take a seven point lead. Thompson and Dunkley both put in 3-pointers to close the gap and put GSW behind by only three.

Keishundra Jackson made a free throw to tighten the lead a bit more but Flagler put in two more baskets to take the lead by six with three minutes left. In two minutes GSW had a comeback starting with Kenyona Armstrong with a jumper followed by a 3-pointer and Dunkley with a lay up to take the lead with 1:44 left to go. The Saints put in a basket to take the lead back by one but Hudson and Dunkley secured the lead going into the second  with jump shots.

The Lady ‘Canes went into the second half with a one point lead but quickly made it a five point lead with two baskets from Hudson. The Saints put in a free throw to linger by only four but GSW came back with a 3-pointer and two made free throws from Armstrong to take a nine point advantage. Flager quickly closed the gap to trail by two at the 13:08 mark and tie it up 38-38 at the 12:54 mark.

Dunkley put in a 3-pointer to take the lead back for the Lady ‘Canes but the Saints put in two lay ups to take it back by one point. The last ten minutes of the game was a one to two point advantage switching sides every other basket. Hudson put intwo free throws to give GSW the advantage and Thompson took the lead with a lay up and a free throw with eight minutes left.

The Saints quickly tied it up 48-48 at the 6:44 mark and took the lead again at the 5:33 mark with a free throw but Shanedra Lockett took the elad back with a lay up with 4:11 left. Flagler tied it up with two made free throws but Thompson took the lead back making two free throws of her own with three minutes remaining.

Flagler put in two more free throws to tie it, only to be behind a few seconds later when Thompson put in a lay up for GSW but then Flagler put ina lay up to tie it yet again with 1:49 left. The Saints put in another lay up to take the lead by two with :41 remaining. Thompson made a free throw to put GSW behing by one point but Flagler put in two more free throws to take the win 59-56.

Thompson lead the Lady ‘Canes with 16 points and 7 rebounds followed by Armstrong and Dunkley with 12 points and two 3-pointers each.

GSW out rebounded Flagler 36-30 but The Saints scored more points off turnovers 18-10.

The Lady ‘Canes travel to USC Aiken on Jan. 17 for a 5:30 p.m. contest.