PREVIEW: Men's Basketball Looks to Build Winning Streak This Week

2/18/2020 8:42:00 PM | By: UNG Athletic Communications

Week 14
vs. Augusta
Date: February 19
Tipoff: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Dahlonega, Ga.
Arena: Convocation Center

at Georgia College
Date: February 22
Tipoff: 5:30 p.m.
Location: Milledgeville, Ga.
Arena: Centennial Center

Game Preview: The University of North Georgia men's basketball team looks to extend its winning ways with a home game against Augusta befoe a road trip to Georgia College to end the week.

Nighthawks on the Web: Nighthawk fans not able to make it to the UNG Convocation Center this week can follow along through streaming on YouTube and Facebook, local cable television (Windstream cable channels 78.12 and HD channel 890), live statistics on UNGAthletics.com and on all social media platforms. The game will also be simulcast live on the flagship radio station of North Georgia basketball, Glory 97.9 FM and AM 1330. Links for both games can be found on the men's basketball schedule page. Fans can also follow the action through Twitter by following the men's basketball team (@UNGMBB).

Last Week: The Nighthawks won back-to-back games last week, defeating Columbus State on the road before Lander at home on Homecoming.

Scouting Augusta: Augusta is 17-7 on the year and 12-4 in PBC play, having won six straight matchups. The last seven games have been decided by 10 or fewer points. At 8-4 away from Christenberry Fieldhouse, the Jaguars have four players in double figures, led by Rafael Monteiro's 17.5 points per contest. The Jaguars hold a 14-7 advantage in the all-time series, winning each of the last two. UNG and Augusta have split the last eight games. North Georgia is 5-5 in Dahlonega in the history of the matchup. AU won the season's earlier matchup, 83-58, with Darnell Snyers scoring 13 to lead the way for North Georgia.

Scouting Georgia College: Georgia College is 10-14 on the season and 7-9 in league action. The Bobcats have lost five of the last six with the only win coming in overtime over Young Harris. Headed into Wednesday's showdown with Francis Marion, GC will lean on Jordan Thomas's 18.7 points per contest to try and get a Homecoming win over UNG Saturday. The Bobcats hold a one-game advantage in the all-time series, 15-14, after North Georgia took a 90-80 win over Georgia College back in early January in Dahlonega. All 14 of UNG's wins have come in the last 17 chances. Josh Cottrell and Zez Steeple led the way for North Georgia in the earlier matchup with 17 points each.

Stats: North Georgia is third in the Peach Belt Conference in scoring defense, holding opponents to 75.2 points per contest. Ephraim Tshimanga is third in Division II in steals per game, leading the PBC with 2.87 takeaways per contest. He is also tops in the league and fourth nationally in total steals with 66.

Postseason Possibilities: North Georgia's magic number is two with four games to play. With two more wins, or a combination of wins and Young Harris losses equaling two, the Nighthawks will clinch a spot in the upcoming Peach Belt Conference Tournament.

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