DAHLONEGA – The University of North Georgia (UNG) women's basketball secured a convincing 88-68 win over Allen University at Lynn Cottrell Arena at the UNG Convocation Center Friday evening. 

The Nighthawks moved to 5-0 on the season behind big performances from a pair of underclassmen in freshman guard Averie Jones and sophomore forward Kendall Emener. 

Emener had everything working from the beginning of the game. She scored 12 of her 16 points in the first half, helping UNG hold a 44-33 lead at halftime. 

Emener was a consistent force in the post for the Nighthawks, leading to numerous buckets and trips to the free throw line. She finished the night with 16 points and a season-high 10 rebounds on 5-of-6 shooting from the floor with a 6-of-7 mark from the charity stripe. With 16 points and 10 boards, Emener secured the third double-double of her career against the Yellow Jackets.

In the second half, Jones shined with a scoring outburst to help her team pull away and eventually seal the 20-point victory. 

The Lumpkin County High School graduate finished the night with a career-high 25 points while adding six rebounds, four assists and two steals. She went 8-for-12 from the floor, 3-for-6 from beyond the arc and a perfect 6-for-6 at the free throw line. Jones set or tied career highs in all statistical marks other than minutes Friday night. Her 25 points are the most in a game for a UNG freshman since Caroline Martin scored 35 against Clayton State back on Mar. 3, 2021. 

Jones also matched Martin with another freshman accomplishment against Allen, becoming the first freshman since Martin in 2020 to score in double figures in four of the first five games of their career. Jones is currently averaging 10.6 points per game which is tied for third on the team. 

In total, Jones and Emener combined for 41 of UNG's 88 points (46.6 percent) in the win. They combined for 16 rebounds and six assists while together going 13-of-18 (72.2 percent) from the floor and 12-of-13 (92.3 percent) at the free throw line. 

Now the Nighthawks will prepare for their sixth consecutive home game as they welcome Tuskegee on Monday, Dec. 2 at 5:30 p.m.