FLORENCE – North Alabama jumped out to a big lead and held off a late West Georgia rally to pick up a 63-53 win Saturday in women’s Gulf South Conference basketball action at Flowers Hall. The Lions led by 18 at the break and by as many as 24 in the second half before the Wolves closed the game on a 22-8 run.

Amber Rutherford scored 22 points and pulled down 10 rebounds to record a double-double in her final game at Flowers Hall. The lone senior was honored after during a senior day ceremony and presented with a commemorative basketball representing her NCAA-record 54 consecutive made free throws set earlier this season.

On Saturday, she helped the Lions get out to a fast start against GSC East-leading West Georgia. Rutherford and Jameica York scored eight points each as UNA raced out to a 34-16 half-time lead. York finished the game with 13 points, and was one rebound shy of a double-double with nine on the day.

UNA led 55-31 with 6:36 remaining before the Wolves made their move. The Lions went more than five minutes without scoring as UWG cut the lead to single digits in the final minute of play. Ashley Moore provided the final dagger with a three-point basket with 33 seconds remaining to push the lead back to 11 at 59-48.

With the win, UNA improves to 15-12 overall with an 8-4 mark in conference play. The loss was only the second of the season for the Wolves in the GSC, who finish league play with a 10-2 mark. West Georgia is now 21-6 overall.

The Lions will now turn their attention to the first round of the GSC tournament. UNA will take on the second seed from the West Division on Thursday, March 5, in Southaven, Miss. Tip-off is set for 2:45 p.m. at the DeSoto Civic Center.