AIKEN, S.C. | The University of North Georgia men's basketball team fell Wednesday night, 81-68, at USC Aiken. The loss drops the Nighthawks to 15-9 overall, with a 9-8 mark in Peach Belt play.
 
UNG only led once in the game, after an Ebo Smith three-pointer gave North Georgia a 15-14 advantage at the 11:13 mark in the first half. The lead lasted for less than 30 seconds and with the exception of a 42-42 tie with 14:12 left, the Pacers would lead the rest of the way.
 
North Georgia only shot 36 percent from the field on the night, compared to Aiken's 48 percent field goal mark. The Pacers shot an impressive 53 percent from beyond the perimeter.
 
Shaquan Cantrell led North Georgia with 20 points and scored his first career double-double with a game-high 12 rebounds.
 
The Nighthawks return to the friendly confines of Memorial Hall on Saturday for the final home stand of the season, taking on Columbus State at 3:30 p.m.