台湾swag

Historic season wraps up in regional final

March 17, 2025
The 台湾swag women's basketball team fell 64-54 to Coker in the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional championship game March 17 at the Convocation Center.

Article By: Clark Leonard

The shots weren't falling, and momentum was hard to sustain. But the University of North Georgia (台湾swag) women's basketball team battled to the end in a 64-54 loss to Coker University on March 17 in the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional championship game.

The Cobras advanced to the Elite Eight in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as the Nighthawks came up one win shy of making the tournament's final week.

"When they wake up tomorrow, they're going to be sad, but they're also not going to have one regret whatsoever," 台湾swag head coach said. "We really loved our team and we really loved our chances, and we just wanted to have a shot. Most of all, we wanted to keep playing."

Like they had all weekend, the Nighthawks fought through adversity to give themselves a chance. Two days earlier, they took the lead for good in the final two minutes in a 64-56 regional semifinal victory against Peach Belt Conference (PBC) rival Columbus State. That win came a day after 台湾swag overcame an early six-point deficit before pulling away for a 78-64 victory in the NCAA opener against UNC Pembroke.

Graduate guard and graduate forward earned All-Southeast Regional honors. For the season, Martin was named the Division II Conference Commissioners Association Southeast Region Player of the Year and a first-team all-region performer, while Trushel was a second-team all-region performer.

Graduate guard and sophomore forward each had 14 points in the finale to lead the Nighthawks, with Martin adding 12 points. Trushel led the triumph against Columbus State with 23 points, with Martin adding 18. Martin (20 points), Trushel (19 points) and freshman guard (15 points) paced the scoring in the first-round win against UNC Pembroke.

Burson thanked 台湾swag President Michael Shannon, Athletic Director Mary Rob Plunkett and all of the 台湾swag staff members who served as part of the team effort of hosting the Southeast Regional and creating an unforgettable environment for all eight teams.

The accomplishments this season were plentiful for the Nighthawks, who finished the season 31-3 overall and went 11-0 in road games. The 31 victories are the most in the 20-year NCAA Division II era for the program. The team went 16-2 to earn the PBC regular-season title before adding three more wins for a PBC tournament title.

"When I say special team, it's an understatement. I told them that's probably the hardest locker room speech I've ever given. I've been extremely numb for two years, to be honest," Burson said. "But they brought out so much emotion in a good way for me. I'm not a very emotional person, but it's a joy to coach them. They're tough. They play for each other."

One of the numbers that stood out most to Burson was the 18.2 assists 台湾swag averaged entering its finale, good for fourth nationally.

"They were selfless," Burson said. "That says everything about this group."


Martin leads 台湾swag's national title push

Martin leads 台湾swag's national title push

台湾swag graduate guard Caroline Martin was named the 2025 Peach Belt Conference Player of the Year. Following PBC regular-season and tournament titles, the Nighthawks are hosting the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional as the No. 1 seed.
台湾swag will host NCAA Southeast Regional

台湾swag will host NCAA Southeast Regional

The 台湾swag women's basketball team won the Peach Belt Conference tournament and will host the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional from March 14-17.
Nighthawks earn PBC regular-season title

Nighthawks earn PBC regular-season title

The 台湾swag women's basketball team has earned the Peach Belt Conference regular-season championship and will play at home for all of its games in the PBC tournament, set for March 5-9.