LOCAL COLLEGE ROUNDUP: Seward County elminates South Georgia Tech

The South Georgia Tech women’s basketball team saw its season come to an end Tuesday in the second round of the NJCAA National Tournament in Lubbock, Texas, losing 88-81 to Seward County (Kansas).

South Georgia Tech (29-6) rallied from a 12-point halftime deficit, going ahead 81-79 with 2:17 to go. But Seward County scored the game’s final nine points.

“We had the opportunity to pull this out,” South Georgia Tech head coach James Frey said in a news release. “I am so proud of these girls for not giving up. They gave 100 percent effort and showed a lot of people that we were much better than a 23rd seed in this tournament.”

Seward County (31-3), which takes on Gulf Coast (Florida) in Thursday’s quarterfinals, hit 17-of-34 3-point attempts, making 12 of them in the first half.

South Georgia Tech outscored the Lady Saints 27-20 in the third quarter, cutting Seward County’s lead to five entering the fourth quarter.

Sophomore forward Esther Adenike and freshman shooting guard Ricka Jackson were the leading scorers for the Jets with 18 points each. Adenike had a double-double with 13 rebounds. Sophomore forward Houlfat Mahouchiza scored 15 points, while sophomore Dakata Toney added 14 points.

“This was a great season,” Frey said. “I think this team played their hearts out here in Lubbock and I am very proud of them, on and off the court.”

Rams, Hurricanes split softball twin bill

The Albany State and Georgia Southwestern softball teams split a doubleheader Tuesday in Americus.

Albany State won the first game 5-1, scoring four runs in the top of the seventh inning on four GSW errors.

Seven players combined for seven hits for ASU in Game 1. Aryn McGowan had a double and two RBI, while Lauren Lowery picked up the win in the circle. KayLynn Church went 2-for-3 with a double, Ansley Dean added another double and Hayley Tierce had a home run for GSW, whose pitcher of record was Shannon Gibson.

GSW won the second game 11-0. Dean went 3-for-4 with two home runs, two runs scored and four RBI, while Tierce went 2-for-3 with two home runs, three runs scored and three RBI. Brittany Childs was the winning pitcher.

Jade Williams went 2-for-3 for ASU in Game 2. McGowan took the loss.

UWF baseball wins wild one

With the wind kicking up Tuesday evening, the West Florida baseball team defeated Albany State 15-10.

West Florida scored runs in six out of the nine innings played, while Albany State scored in five different innings. The teams combined for 30 hits.

Ryan McClendon went 3-for-4 for Albany State, with Johnathan Cirulo, Riliani Familia, Nic Griggs and Chasen Roulhac each picking up two hits. Familia and Tyler Morris each had two RBI.

Starting pitcher Brandon Pearson took the loss.

Thomas golf’s Courtney ties for fifth

Thomas University junior women’s golfer Genevieve Courtney tied for fifth at the UNOH Spring Invitational at Bear’s Best Atlanta Golf Course.

Courtney was tied for 21st after her first-round 86, then she carded a 7-over 79 to jump up the leaderboard, into a tie for fifth.

Freshman Angela Rivera also improved her standing from the first to the second round, shooting a 92 then an 85, to tie for 32nd. Junior Laura Alexander finished 39th with rounds of 95 and 89.

Sophomore Dylaney Day placed 48th after her 96-103, and freshman Laura Mican tied for 49th with a 109-92.

Thomas placed ninth in the event as a team, carding a 345 on the second round after a 10th-place first-round 369. University of Cumberlands led the way with a 315-316.