AMERICUS, Ga. – The Augusta University women's basketball team began Peach Belt Conference play on Thursday at Georgia Southwestern, defeating the Hurricanes 81-71.

The conference victory allowed the Jaguars (7-2, 1-0 PBC) to improve their winning streak to four in a row.

Senior Kariel Hutt led the Jags with a double-double performance. Hutt led all-scorers with 25 points and tacked on 17 rebounds.

Breonna O'Conner and Joshlyn Belcher scored 14 points apiece and Camille Gee also reached double-digits with 11 points.

The Hurricanes were paced by duo        Yvonna Dunkley and Jasmine McSwain. Dunkley posted 22 points, while McSwain contributed 19.

The Jags shot an efficient 44.8 percent from the field and 40 percent from beyond the arc. The team also notched 32 points in the painted area and won the rebounding battle 46-to-40.

At halftime, Augusta led GSW (6-2, 0-1 PBC) 34-28. Hutt sunk a layup early in the third period to give the Jags a double-digit advantage, 40-30.

However, GSW closed the gap to 55-51 following two free throws from Emili Russ. Augusta then responded with a 13-0 run at the start of the fourth period to cushion its lead, 68-51.

The Jags led by as many as 17 points in the fourth quarter to pull away from the Hurricanes.

The Jaguars travel to Montevallo, Ala., on Saturday, Dec. 19 for a Peach Belt game at 2:30 p.m. with the Montevallo Falcons.

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