For the second time in two days, Georgia Northwestern tangled with a Division I women’s basketball program. This time, it was Snead State (Ala.) that came to Rome for the Lady Cats home opener on Wednesday night and downed GNTC, 74-56, at Shorter’s Winthrop-King.

Rome High product Keesha Wise had 16 points on the night to help keep GNTC close throughout the game.

The Lady Cats were down 13 in the first half before they went on a run to close out the half and tie the score at the intermission. Snead State (1-3) opened up a lead in the second half thanks in part to former Rome High standout Summer Starr, who contributed 11 points in the Lady Parsons win.

“We really played with this D-I program and had a chance to steal this one away,” said Georgia Northwestern head coach Jim Williams.

“This is just one more step against some big programs we’ve schedule to prepare us for the region opponents. We want to be the best. So we are playing the best.”

Former Pepperell star Kiarra Parks added 11 points and three steals for GNTC.

Parks was a 1,000-point scorer in her career with the Lady Dragons.

“We have a solid set of freshman recruits,” said Williams. “These young women are playing established programs within just points of upsets. It’s fun to watch them develop.”

The Lady Cats (0-2) will play in the Welch College Invitational in Nashville.

Their first game is set for Friday at 3 p.m. against Piedmont International (NC).