DAHLONEGA | Shaquan Cantrell netted a game-high 21 points as the University of North Georgia men's basketball team opened up the 2014-15 season with an 87-73 win over Southern Wesleyan on Saturday afternoon in Memorial Hall.  The sophomore guard was one of four Nighthawks in double figures for head coach Chris Faulkner's squad.

Travis Core added 12 points on five of nine shooting from the field and pitched in with a team-best six assists.  Sean Brennan and T.J. Williams added 11 and 10 respectively.  Brennan contributed with five assists while Williams collected a team-high eight rebounds, including four of the offensive variety.

Mike Lieberman led four Warriors in double figures with 16 points.

The Nighthawks held a 36-29 lead at half, but Southern Wesleyan (0-1) rallied with a 9-2 run to open the second half and tied the game at 38 apiece. 

A three-pointer by Core at the 14:48 mark of the second half stretched the Nighthawk lead back to double figures where it would stay for the remainder of the contest. 

North Georgia (1-0) returns to action on Tuesday, November 18 with a 7:00 p.m. tip-off at Brevard.