STARKVILLE, Miss. - Lanre Olatunji led the University of North Georgia men's basketball team Saturday with 10 points, but the Nighthawks fell to Mississippi State, who led wire-to-wire to win, 95-62, in exhibition action at MSU's Humphrey Coliseum.

Trailing 53-26 at halftime, the Nighthawks came out strong in the second half, nearly outscoring the Bulldogs in the final 20 minutes, scoring 36 points in the period. UNG and Mississippi State each pulled down 22 rebounds in the second half.

NOTES
- The Nighthawks are now 0-2 in exhibition action against SEC opponents all-time. North Georgia fell to Georgia on November 6, 2009, 87-53.

- Every Nighthawk finished with points in the scoring column. UNG shot 27-71 from the floor in the game.

- North Georgia pulled down two more offensive rebounds than the Bulldogs and outscored MSU in second-chance points, 12-11.

NEXT UP
The Nighthawks will take the floor again in one week as they reenter Peach Belt Conference play on the road against Flagler. Tip off from St. Augustine, Florida, is set for 3:30 p.m.