YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. | Pamela Diokpara's short jumper with 4.1 seconds remaining was the difference as Young Harris College defeated Georgia Southwestern State University 79-78 in a Peach Belt Conference women's basketball game for homecoming Saturday (Feb. 9) afternoon at the YHC Basketball Arena. 

Young Harris snapped its 12-game losing streak as they improved to 4-18 overall and to 2-14 in the Peach Belt, while the Hurricanes fell to 8-13 and 5-10. The Mountain Lions return to action Wednesday (Feb. 13) as they travel to Dahlonega, Georgia, for a 5:30 p.m. PBC game against cross-mountain rival University of North Georgia.

Georgia Southwestern took its largest lead of the game - 10 points (29-19) - on a Kris Beckham jumper with 4:54 left in the second quarter. However, the Mountain Lions got back in the game as they ended the half on a 16-2 run, including the final 12 points of the quarter, to take a 35-31 lead at intermission. Diokpara scored eight points during that Mountain Lion rally.

Young Harris led by as many as seven points three different times in the third quarter, but the Hurricanes used a 17-6 run to take a 57-53 lead at the end of the quarter. GSW extended its lead to seven points (60-53) in the early moments of the fourth quarter, but the Mountain Lions used a 10-3 run to knot the score at 63 after an Elle Hutchinson layup with 6:37 to play. 

The Hurricanes opened up a 72-67 lead just over a minute later, but again the Mountain Lions scored the next six points to take a 72-71 lead on a Diokpara jumper with 3:48 to play. Over the next three minutes, the lead see-sawed between the two teams five times. Georgia Southwestern had taken a 78-77 lead on two free throws by Lex Chatman with 56 seconds left.

Young Harris, which shot 62.5 percent (10-of-16) from the floor in the final quarter, missed a three-pointer on its next possession, but a Sarah Woghiren steal with 15 seconds set up Diokpara's winning shot. After a YHC timeout, Diokpara connected on a short jumper from the right side to give the Mountain Lions the lead for the final time with 4.1 seconds left.

Georgia Southwestern attempted a three-pointer as the final horn sounded, but it fell short.

Diokpara, who was 10-of-16 from the field, led the Mountain Lions with 25 points and 23 rebounds - both career highs.  Woghiren added 12 points, five rebounds and seven assists. Dee Dee McLane added nine points, while Avery Jordan had seven points and six assists.

Jamesha Samuell led the Hurricanes with 15 points, while Brianna Perry had 13. Morgan Towells tossed in 11 points, while Chatman and Tamecia Blue each had 10.