AMERICUS, Ga. --- Georgia Southwestern State University picked up a 101-53 victory over Tusculum University in women's basketball action Saturday afternoon at the Storm Dome.
Jashanti Simmons scored 22 points in 15 minutes off the bench, while Kayla Langley and Leah Johnson each finished with double-doubles for the Hurricanes (7-1), who shot 51.3 percent (39-for-76) from the field and outrebounded the Pioneers by a 49-35 margin.
Ni'Kiah Chesterfield was the top scorer for the Pioneers (3-7) with nine points. Lexi Patty had eight points and five assists and Nae Marion added seven points and a team-high nine rebounds for the Pioneers, who shot 31.9 percent (22-for-69) from the floor and committed 24 turnovers which led to 29 GSW points.
Simmons, who had 18 points in the Hurricanes' 95-70 road victory over the Pioneers on Nov. 25, shot 9-for-11 from the field and had a team-high four steals. Langley collected 11 rebounds and 10 points and Johnson finished with 13 points and 10 boards in 17 minutes off the bench for the Hurricanes. Destiny Garrett and Ndidiamaka Ndukwe also reached double figures in scoring with 11 points apiece.
Tusculum led 9-6 with 4:21 left in the first quarter following back-to-back baskets by Carleigh Wilson, but Georgia Southwestern scored on eight of its final 10 possessions of the quarter as part of a 17-0 run that gave the Hurricanes a 23-9 lead after one period. Garrett scored seven points in the second quarter as Georgia Southwestern outscored Tusculum 24-8 in the period, including an 11-0 run, which left Georgia Southwestern on top 47-17 at intermission.
Johnson led the Hurricanes with 11 points and eight rebounds in the first half, helping Georgia Southwestern to shoot 48.6 percent (17-for-35) from the field as a team. Tusculum shot just 23.5 percent (8-for-34) from the floor in the half and committed 18 turnovers, with Marion leading the Pioneers with four points and six rebounds.
Simmons took over in the third quarter for GSW, scoring 14 points on 6-for-7 shooting in the period. Eleven of her points came as part of a 16-0 run to end the quarter which gave the Hurricanes an 80-32 lead. The Pioneers and Hurricanes would play even in the final frame, with both teams scoring 21 points in the fourth quarter.
Off the bench, Jordyn Roderick collected four points in 13 minutes on 2-for-5 shooting, while Delana DeBusk had four points and three rebounds in 17 minutes of playing time for the Pioneers. Simona Henshaw pulled seven rebounds and finished with three points in 15 minutes.
Tusculum wrapped up its non-conference schedule with Saturday's game, and the Pioneers will be back in South Atlantic Conference action on Wednesday, Jan. 3 at 1 p.m. at Emory & Henry. The Wasps (6-6, 1-3 SAC) defeated Lees-McRae 84-76 on Saturday.
