DAHLONEGA | A solid second half effort made for an interesting finish between the University of North Georgia men's basketball team and No. 14 UNC Pembroke, but the Nighthawks couldn't complete the comeback in their upset attempt, falling 78-71. The loss drops UNG to 11-4 and 5-3 in the Peach Belt, while UNCP moves to 16-1 and an eastern division best 7-1 conference record.
 
"I don't think there is any doubt that we can play with those type of teams," UNG head coach Chris Faulkner said. "I've felt that way all year. It was a tough game today. They're really balanced and a really good team, but I felt like we shot ourselves in the foot a couple of times."
 
While it looked like an early second half run was going to put the game out of reach, the Nighthawks fought back and an Ebo Smith three-pointer pulled the game within three points at the 7:35 mark. Both teams would trade runs, keeping the game close heading to the game's closing minutes.
 
North Georgia had the ball with a chance to pull within two points on three occasions in the final two minutes of the game, but turned the ball over each time, letting the Braves sneak away with the victory.
 
Smith led UNG offensively on the night with 14 points. T.J. Williams pulled down 11 rebounds and put up 13 points to complete his first double-double of the season.  Corey Green added 13 for North Georgia.
 
UNG as a team went a season-best 19-for-20 from the charity stripe on the evening.
 
The Nighthawks will look to get back to their winning ways on Monday as they host Francis Marion. Tipoff is set for 3:30 p.m.