BLUFFTON, SOUTH CAROLINA – The University of South Carolina Beaufort women's basketball team concluded its regular season series with Georgia Southwestern State on Saturday afternoon with a 67-55 victory, fueled by a dominant defensive second quarter that held the Hurricanes to just nine points.
The Sand Sharks improve to 15-8 overall and 12-4 in conference play, while Georgia Southwestern falls to 10-13 overall and 6-10 in conference play.
USCB was led in scoring by four players in double figures, with Taniyah Bowman leading the way with 19 points, seven rebounds, and two assists. She was joined by Lydia Gattozzi and Janiyah Heyward, each with 13 points; Heyward also added four assists and eight rebounds. Bri Pelote contributed 12 points, eight rebounds, and eight blocks in the win.
Georgia Southwestern opened the scoring, but the Sand Sharks responded with a layup by Pelote, assisted by Heyward, to tie the game 2-2. Sami Bardonaro hit USCB's first three-pointer to narrow the deficit to 8-7. The Sand Sharks took their first lead late in the first quarter, with 39 seconds remaining, as Heyward put USCB ahead 11-10. Pelote added another basket in the closing 15 seconds of the quarter, assisted by Heyward for her third assist of the period, giving USCB a 13-10 lead. In the second quarter, the Sand Sharks held the Hurricanes to just 21% shooting.
Bowman opened the second quarter scoring with a three-point play, converting a foul to extend USCB's lead to 16-10 in a 7-0 run. After Georgia Southwestern cut the lead to 18-16, the Sand Sharks went on a 12-0 run, taking a double-digit lead for the first time at 30-16 over a five-minute stretch. Heyward led the team with five points during the run, while USCB held the Hurricanes scoreless and forced a turnover. USCB maintained the double-digit lead into halftime, taking a 32-19 advantage.
In the third quarter, Gattozzi scored five early points on back-to-back shots, both assisted by Courtney Campbell. Georgia Southwestern cut the lead to 11 midway through the quarter, but a layup by Bowman extended the advantage back to 13 before USCB's defense held the Hurricanes scoreless for three minutes. A late run by the visitors narrowed the Sand Sharks' lead to 46-39 at the end of the quarter.
Gattozzi opened the fourth quarter with a layup for her 10th point, helping push the lead back to double digits following Bowman's basket, her 13th point of the game. The Hurricanes responded with a run that cut the Sand Sharks' lead to six, but Gattozzi ended the run with a basket off an offensive rebound. Bowman sealed the victory at the foul line, helping USCB close out the game 67-55. Pelote added seven blocks in the second half to control the Hurricanes' offense.
The Sand Sharks return to action on Monday evening against Lander University at home in The Cove on Novant Health Court.
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