DAHLONEGA – The University of North Georgia (UNG) women's basketball team opened the 2024-25 season with a rousing 79-62 victory over Emmanuel in the Peach Belt/Conference Carolinas Challenge at Lynn Cottrell Arena at the UNG Convocation Center.

The long-awaited return of graduate guard Caroline Martin came to fruition Friday night as the upperclassmen led the scoring for the Nighthawks in a dominant team victory. Martin was one of four UNG players in double figures as she posted a game-high 15 points while adding three rebounds and three assists.

The Nighthawks scored the first bucket of the game thanks to a three-pointer from senior guard Ansley Hall. UNG would never concede the lead. Hall started the game lights to open her second season in Dahlonega after transferring from Tennessee Tech in 2023. The Watkinsville, Ga. native scored the first nine points for UNG, all of which came from beyond the three-point line. 

Hall ended the game with 14 points and four assists on 5-for-7 shooting from the floor. The outing is tied for her third-most points in a Nighthawk uniform after averaging 10.4 points per game last season. 

Following Hall's big night was graduate forward Emily Trushel. With 13 points, six rebounds and four assists, the 2024-25 Peach Belt Conference Preseason All-Conference selection helped UNG grow its lead as the night went on. 

In her career, Trushel has been one of the best free throw shooters in the entire country. In 2023, Trushel led the nation in free throw percentage at 93.5 percent (87-for-93). Including that year, she has maintained an 88.9 percent conversion rate at the line in the last two seasons. She opened the year on Friday with another 6-for-6 performance from the stripe.

Senior guard Livi Blackstock was the final double-digit scorer for UNG against the Lions. She totaled 11 points thanks to a pair of threes while adding six boards and six assists in the win. 

Sophomore forward Kendall Emener added a noteworthy performance in the score sheet and on the glass. The 6-foot-2 post presence had six points and nine rebounds while making all three shots she attempted from the floor. Nine rebounds is tied for the third-most in a game in Emener's career and Friday marked the eighth time in just 21 career games she's snagged eight or more boards. 

As a team, UNG boasted an unselfish and efficient offense that gave Nighthawk fans plenty to cheer about. The squad had five players record three or more assists in the victory, including freshman guard Averie Jones who made her collegiate debut against Emmanuel. The hometown Dahlonega native added seven points, three assists and five rebounds in her inaugural appearance in the blue and white. 

In total, the Nighthawks distributed 24 assists on 28 made baskets Friday, showcasing an astounding 85.7 percent assist rate. Since UNG made the move to NCAA Division II in 2005, a single-game assist percentage of 85.7 percent is tied as the sixth-best performance in program history. The Nighthawks have reached that mark only 10 times in the last decade. 

UNG will look to capitalize on the all-around performance as it takes on longtime rival Young Harris tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 9 at 4 p.m. from Lynn Cottrell Arena to close out the PBC/Conference Carolinas Challenge.