FLORENCE, S.C. - Despite four players in double figures, the University of North Georgia men's basketball team fell in the Peach Belt Conference opener to Francis Marion, 82-79, Saturday afternoon at the Smith University Center.

With the game tied at 73 with just over two minutes left, the Patriots took a three point lead on an and-one play from Winston Hill. Ephraim Tshimanga hit a basket moments later to cut the lead to one, but a slam dunk by Hill gave FMU the momentum needed to hold on at the free throw line.

NOTES
- Tshimanga led the Nighthawks with 19 points on 8-for-9 shooting from the floor. Zez Steeple added 15, while Lanre Olatunji contributed 12. Shawn Hopkins was the fourth Nighthawk with double digit points as he scored 11.

- North Georgia shot over 50 percent from the floor, but shot just 16 percent (4-for-25) from beyond the arc.

NEXT UP
North Georgia will go outside of conference for the final time Tuesday night at Emmanuel. Tip is set for 7:30 p.m.