FLORENCE, S.C. — The University of North Georgia men's basketball team soared past Francis Marion, 84-72, Saturday afternoon at the Smith University Center. The Nighthawks move to 9-6 on the season with a 5-1 mark in the Peach Belt Conference.
 
After trailing for most of the first half, UNG closed the opening period of play on a 13-2 run over the last 4:40 to take a 37-30 lead into the intermission. While the Patriots would pull within three points on six different occasions in the second half, North Georgia would never surrender the lead pulling away in the final minutes to earn the 84-72 win.
 
NOTES
- Shaquan Cantrell and Denzell Hosch led the team in scoring with 16 points each. Ephraim Tshimanga added 14 points and was just one rebound shy of a double-double with nine, which led the squad.
 
- UNG scored an eye-popping 47 points off the bench in the game compared to just 12 points scored off the Patriots bench.
 
- The Nighthawks improve to  11-5 all-time against FMU after avenging last year's 90-81 loss in Florence.
 
NEXT UP
North Georgia wraps up the two-game road swing at UNC Pembroke on Monday, Jan. 16. Tipoff is set for 3:30 p.m.