DAHLONEGA, Ga. — The University of North Georgia men's basketball team showed their resiliency in Wednesday night's Peach Belt Conference matchup against Clayton State nearly erasing a large first half Laker lead but ultimately the Nighthawks fell, 80-71. North Georgia slips to 9-8 overall on the year and are now 5-3 in the PBC.
 
Ross Morkem scored the opening basket of the game giving North Georgia a 2-0 lead but a Christoff Nairn three-pointer less than 30 seconds later gave Clayton State the lead that they would never relinquish. The Lakers would lead by as many as 18 late in the first half. Sean Brennan's only three of the night came at the 5:22 mark of the second half and pulled North Georgia within three points of Clayton State but CSU's Dantez Bennamon buried a trey on the other end and UNG would not pull within a single possession again in the final five minutes.
 
NOTES
- Denzell Hosch scored a career-high 23 points in the effort to lead the Nighthawks that included six three-point baskets. Tyler Dominy, Roderick English, and Ross Morkem all tied with a team best five rebounds.
 
- The Nighthawks didn't allow much action down low as Clayton State only score 20 points inside the paint on the night but an impressive 51-percent performance from the field help lift the Lakers to the big win.
  
- Today's loss is the fifth consecutive in the all-time series against Clayton State. The last time the Nighthawks downed the Lakers was Jan. 25, 2014 in Morrow. The two teams will square off again in Southlake on Monday, Feb. 5.
 
NEXT UP
The Nighthawks return to the road this weekend traveling to Americus to take on Georgia Southwestern. Tipoff at the Storm Dome is set for 3:30 p.m.