DAHLONEGA - Josh Cottrell hit four three-pointers, and Ephraim Tshimanga earned his second double-double in as many games as the University of North Georgia men's basketball team earned an 80-65 win over Columbus State Wednesday night.

Both teams started very slow offensively with the score being tied, 10-10, with just over 10 minutes to play in the first half. From there, the offense exploded, getting kickstarted by a Darnell Snyers three from the top of the key that gave UNG a small lead.

CSU answered by taking a six-point lead with just under six minutes to play until halftime. UNG responded with a 29-7 run to take a 15-point lead early in the second half, a lead that the Nighthawks would not relinquish the rest of the way.

NOTES
- The Nighthawks held Columbus State to just 40 percent from the floor while shooting nearly 54 percent themselves. UNG's shooting performance included hitting 8-of-19 three pointers.

- Tshimanga finished with 22 points to go with 11 dimes. He also added eight rebounds, falling two short of a triple-double. Each of the last two games, the senior has been just shy of the triple-double due to rebounds.

- Also finishing in double figures for North Georgia were Bailey Minor (13), Cottrell (12) and Zach Brown (12).

NEXT UP
The Nighthawks head to Greenwood, South Carolina, to take on Lander Saturday at 3:30 p.m.