MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. – After nearly two weeks off from action, the UNCP women's basketball team fell victim to old habits allowing 24 turnovers for Wingate to pull past the Lady Braves, 70-65, on Wednesday evening on the first day of the Georgia College Classic Tournament in the Centennial Center in Milledgeville, Ga.

JaToya Kemp registered a double-double with a game-high 16 points and 11 rebounds for the Lady Braves (4-5) while grabbing three steals and shooting 100 percent from the foul line. Illya Hunt was 4-of-5 from the three point line tallying 12 points and three assists while Briana Stanton added eight points, six rebounds and a trio of assists.

Simone Rutledge matched a game-high 16 points for Wingate (6-3) while grabbing eight rebounds and a team-high four assists. Sarah Wollett collected 10 points as Kurie Washington and Tiffany Brown each finished with nine points apiece.

The Bulldogs took the first lead of the game and advanced their lead to only five points at the 5:54 mark in the first half but the Lady Braves felt the pressure and with the help of Hunt's three 3-pointers the Black and Gold were able to take a two-point lead at the half. Wingate turned its play around in the second half by tying the score with 19:37 on the clock and holding a 10-point lead over the Lady Braves with 10 minutes left in action. UNCP tied the score with less than four minutes to play in the game but the Bulldogs held off the Lady Braves until the final buzzer to capture the victory.

Despite the Black and Gold out-shooting and out-rebounding Wingate, UNCP fell victim to 24 turnovers compared to 13 for the Bulldogs. The Lady Braves pulled down 41 rebounds while Wingate grabbed 37. UNCP previously defeated Wingate in November but the Bulldog's victory tied the season's series at 1-1.

The Lady Braves will matchup against Newberry (5-4) Thursday afternoon for the final game of the Georgia College Classic Tournament. Tip off is slated for 1 p.m.