Georgia advances to second round of NCAA tourney

IOWA CITY, IA. – The 10th-seeded University of Georgia women’s basketball team defeated the 7th-seeded Florida State Seminoles, 66-54, in the first round of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Saturday afternoon.

The Lady Bulldogs will face the winner of No. 2 Iowa and No. 15 Southeast Louisiana on March 19 in the second round at a time to be announced.

Fifth-year Diamond Battles led Georgia (22-11) with 21. Senior Javyn Nicholson worked in the paint, grabbing 13 rebounds. Senior Alisha Lewis had a team-high five steals, while fifth-year Audrey Warren contributed five assists.

Georgia and Florida State (23-10) traded baskets to open the first frame. The Seminoles used an 8-2 run to build an 18-11 lead. A triple from Battles cut Florida State’s lead to four heading into the second quarter.

Eight points from the Lady Bulldogs gave Georgia a one-point lead, 21-20, midway through the second quarter. Using an 8-2 run of their own, the Lady Bulldogs built a 31-26 lead. A jumper from Zoesha Smith closed the first half as Georgia took a five-point lead, 35-30, into the locker room.

Six points from the Seminoles cut Georgia’s lead to one with less than five minutes left in the third frame, 39-38. Four points from Smith extended the Lady Bulldogs back to a five-point lead as Georgia held a 45-40 lead heading into the final quarter.

The Lady Bulldogs ripped off 12 straight points to open the fourth quarter and built a 17-point lead. Three Battles free throws and a layup from Nicholson gave Georgia a final 66-54 advantage.