WEST PALM BEACH, FL. ---The Northwood University women's basketball team held off a late charge by Xavier, winning 67-64 on Friday afternoon. The Golden Nuggets got to within 65-64 with under 30 seconds left, but the Seahawks held them off behind two clutch free throws by Lakeisha Blanson with three seconds left.

In the first half with the score tied at 5-5, Northwood used a 12-4 stretch taking their first lead of the game at 17-9 with 13:01 on the clock. The Seahawks extended the margin to the largest of the contest at 21-12 with 10:40 remaining in the half. However, the Golden Nuggets responded with an 11-2 run tying the game at 23-23 with 5:09 to go. Down the stretch, Northwood outscored their opponets 9-4 taking a 32-27 lead into the break.

Xavier started the second half on a 6-1 run knotting the score at 33-33 with 17:14 showing. Northwood answered outscoring the Golden Nuggets 12-6 over the next seven minutes, taking a 45-39 lead with 10:39 remaining. However, Xavier made a late push getting to within 58-56 with 3:16 left, but Northwood used a 5-2 run taking a 63-58 lead with under a minute left. The Golden Nuggets then cut the margin to 65-64, but Northwood held on for the win.

Mallory Burton led four players in double figures with 20 points and six rebounds, while Blanson poured in 11. Emily May contributed 11 points and Stephanie Granada had ten. Granada led the game with six assists, while Claudia Reque chipped in two steals.

With the win, the Seahawks improve to 2-4 overall on the season. Northwood returns to action at home on Saturday when they take on Great Falls. The game is set to begin at 2:00 p.m.