From STAFF REPORTS

AMERICUS – On Feb. 17, the South Georgia Technical College (SGTC) Jets snapped a nine-game losing streak with an impressive 86-76 win over the East Georgia State College Bobcats but an injury plagued the Lady Jets squad and the team lost their first game after 11 straight wins in a narrow 68-64 decision to the Lady Bobcats.
Both games were Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association conference match-ups and SGTC paid tribute to its training partnership with Kauffman Tire at the half-time of both games. Drawings were held for the opportunity to win two and four-free tires from Kauffman Tire.
The nationally ranked Lady Jets still retained their number one ranking in the GCAA with an 11-1 record despite their first loss in 11 games. They are now 23-4 overall. The win by the East Georgia Lady Bobcats puts them in third place with an 8-3 GCAA performance behind Georgia Highlands at 9-2 and South Georgia Tech at 11-1.
“We are struggling right now,” said SGTC Athletic Director and Lady Jets head coach James Frey. “We have lost three of our sophomore leaders in the last two weeks – two to injuries and one to personal issues. This is tough. Our players have done all the right things to get us to this point in the season but now we have to dig down even deeper to finish up number one and do the things that we set out to do at the first of the season.”
Desiree Corbin only played a total of 24 minutes of the 40-minute contest after she went down with a knee injury. Camille Coleman was out from a knee injury in Saturday’s win against Georgia Highlands. Davesha Murray suffered a knee injury earlier this year and missed almost all of the season.
That leaves the Lady Jets with just two transfer sophomores to lead the team and six first year freshmen. “We are going to have to have everyone step up and contribute,” said Frey. “We will find out what we are made off.”
Kanna Suzuki was the top scorer for the Lady Jets in their loss to East Georgia.  She had a total of 20 points. She was six of 11 from the three-point line, and one of two from regular field goal range. Shaineequah Fluellyn was the only other Lady Jet in double-figures and she had a total of 12 points. Houlfat Mahouchiza had nine points. Corbin scored seven points and had nine rebounds before she was injured. Trakyra Kidd also had seven points and Esther Adenike had six.
After the disheartening loss for the Lady Jets, the Jets came out and were able to capture the conference win over the East Georgia. That put them just one game behind Atlanta Metro in the hunt for a GCAA conference berth.
“We played better tonight,” said Jets head coach, Travis Garrett. “We still have room for improvement but it was good to get the win especially after losing that close one to Georgia Highlands on Saturday.”
Andre Kennedy put on a show for the Jets with a total of 33 points. He was 10 of 14 from the field goal range, one of one from the three-point line and 10 of 12 from the foul line. This was his best game at South Georgia Tech.
Jalen Thomas added 18 points and then Pat Welch accounted for 14 points to close out the double figure scoring for the Jets. Davion Clark added eight.
The Jets traveled to Gordon State College in Barnesville on Feb. 18. The Jets dropped a 75-63 decision in that tilt.
Both teams will travel to Albany Technical College on Feb. 22 for a conference double-header at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. The two teams return home on Feb. 25 for a double-header against Atlanta Metropolitan College at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. for sophomore night.